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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap,. Copyright No. 

Shelf..X^SCPl- 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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JAN 2B 1899 



AN OFFERING 



ARDELIA MARIA BARTON: 



San Francisco 
The Murdock Press 



24013 



Copyright 1898 
3iy Ardelia Maria Barton 

TWO OOPliS NSC^.IVIO. 







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TO MY FRIEXDS 



PREFACE 

I claim for my little book no literary merit; 
nor have I striven for poetic rhythm. My only 
wish is, that it may find a responsive chord in 
your heart, and that some comfort may be found 
in it for you. 

With kindest wishes, 

Yours, 

Ardelia Maria Barton. 



San Francisco, California, 
December, 1S98. 



CONTENTS 

Page 

My Book 13 

My Wish for You, One and All 15 

My Prayer 17 

Write 18 

Friendship's Offering 22 

To A Butterfly 23 

The Old Pine-Tree 25 

The Law and the Gospel 27 

The Voices of the Night 28 

A Satire 29 

The Past 31 

Tracings of Divinity 32 

Eternity 34 

The Old Man's Dream 35 

The Sunbeam ... ■ 37 

A False Claim 40 

Faith 42 

Hope 44 

Charity 46 

To-day 48 

Yesterday 49 

To-morrow 52 

More 54 

9 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Life 57 

What ? 60 

"Silence Is Golden" 61 

The Little Things of Life 64 

Good Advice 66 

The Threads of Life 67 

Storms of Life 69 

The Sunset of Life 71 

Ode to the Buttercup 74 

The Milestones of Life 77 

Don't Talk Too Much 79 

The Country Garden 81 

Christmas Greetings 85 

Country Life 86 

When Our Ship Comes In 88 

Consecration 90 

What Baby Said 91 

Springtime 93 

"The Living Christ" 96 

Truth 99 

Content 102 

Discontent 104 

The Sunken Continent 106 

The Destruction of Pompeii no 

The Swallows' Party 113 

The Tide 117 

The Lord's Prayer 119 

A Drop of Water 123 

The Birth of The Earth 125 

10 



CONTENTS 

Page 

The Beginning of Man 128 

The Song of the Kettle 131 

Welcome to "Christian Endeavorers" . . 134 

The Blank Page 137 

Thought-Weaving 141 

Soul Communion 145 

Warring of the Elements 148 

The Faith of My Mother 150 

Immortality 154 

Right 156 

Praise • 158 

Question 160 

Pantheism 162 

"Eternal City" 164 

The Angel Boatman 166 

We Know not What a Day Will Bring Forth 168 

To an Invalid Friend 171 

Too Late 173 

Diogenes May Still Search 175 

Turn Back 176 

Justice 178 

Mercy 180 

Love 182 

Honesty 184 

Bear Ye One Another's Burdens 187 

Resignation 189 

Nature's Laws 194 

Friendship . 196 

The Miser's Mistake 198 

1 1 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Freedom 200 

Experience 203 

New Version of the Spider and Fly . . . 205 

Life's Possibilities 207 

All Alone 209 

"Why Should I Live? ' 213 

Reason Came 215 

Reason Spake Unto Me 217 

Sunshine and Shadow 219 

"Ask What Thou Wilt" 223 

The Twin Oaks of "Sunny Brae" 225 

My Dream 227 

Step Out of My Sunshinf-; 228 

Looking-glass Reflections 230 

Memories 232 

A Message 234 

It Is Finished 236 

Finale 237 



12 



MV BOOK 

This is my child I send to you — 
Not as a beggar will he sue — 
I pray you do not pass him by, 
Nor view hi^n with a critic's eye. 
His faults, I know, jnost serious are 
Let not his faults his beauty mar. 
A-ow take him to your loving heart 
And help him on his way to start ; 
Prese7it him to your dearest friend. 
Thus unto him good aid you lend. 



MV WISH FOR YOU, ONE AND ALL. 

May peace and love fill all your life, 

No grief e'er pierce your soul, 
May rose leaves fall upon your path , 

No rue he in the bowl 
From which you drink the wine op life. 

And sip its joys so pure ; 
No scattered hope, nor broken dream 

Be yours e'er to endure. 



MY PRAYER 

An offering I give Thee, Jehovah, 

An offering simple and pure, 
The help that I give to Thy children 

Will ever and ever endure. 

To Thee, Lord, belief is as nothing, 
My creed Thou carest not for; 

It 's only the good I do others, 
And striving to keep aye Thy law. 

My God, take this gift of pure love-deeds, 
Oh, take this offering I give; 

I ever belong to Thee, Father, 

Will sing e'er Thy praise while I live. 



WRITE 

Take thy pen and write, O man! 

Chronicle thy every thought; 
Hath to thee been Hfe all joy? 

Hath this world all pleasure wrought? 

If before thou cam'st to earth, 

Knowing what thou knowest now, 

Free to choose, to be, or not, 

To life's problems wouldst thou bow? 

Wouldst thou think the gift a boon ? 

It with thankfulness accept ? 
Or, wouldst say, O Lord, me spare! 

/must weep, for man hath wept. 

Dost thou think that life is sweet? 

Dost thou think its joys are more 
Than its griefs and misery ? 

Hast thy bark ne'er touched bleak shore? 

i8 



WRITE 

Stranded, hath it never been ? 

Thy sweet hopes forever lost ? 
Wrecked thy bark on shoals by storms, 

On rough sea of life been tossed? 

Is the wind and tide with thee ? 

And is life without a tear ? 
Manned is bark with happiness? 

Have thy skies been ever clear? 

Dost thou bless thy natal day? 

Long'st thou not for day of death? 
Willing, thee, to e'er live on, 

Blessing God that thou hast brea'th? 

Then, to thee, is life a joy, 

Blessed heritage of peace 
Was bequeathed to thee by Love, 

God gave wito you the lease. 



19 



WRITE 

Write I will, in book of life, 

Trace my thoughts with fadeless ink, 
With a pen of gold will write; 

Into hearts my words may sink. 

Born to earth, I wished it not; 

Earth condition knew not I, 
And its griefs and misery ; 

Ne'er asked I the reason why. 

I am here; will do my work, 
Even though life stranded be, 

E'en though storms beset my way. 
Wrecked my ship on life's rough sea. 

Sunshine, aye, I look not for, 
Wind and tide are often wrong 

For my ship to leave its port; 

Sad, yea, mournful, is life's song. 

But I love, and I am loved, 

Hope is strong within my heart, 

Courage, too; I '11 stem the tide. 
In the world do well my part. 

20 



WRITE 

Tears are shed. Then why should I 
E'er from care and grief be free ? 

I must live, though oft I weep, 
Do my work, whate'er it be. 

Born of Love — O blessed thought! 

Earth conditions I can bear; 
God is Love, in Him I live. 

Utter plaint I will not dare. 

Sail I will my ship of life. 

Steer it over shoals and rocks, 

Bring it safely into port, 

It will bear all storms and shocks, 

When, at last, Life's dream is o'er. 
Time — true censor — takes his flight, 

Death, as Captain of my fleet, 
In his Log my life will write. 



21 



FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING 

The soul of the flower is its fragrance, 

The life of the flower its bloom. 
They bring unto friends sweet remembrance, 

Thus weaving a web on Love's loom. 

Then send to your loved ones violets. 
So fresh with the bright morning dew; 

For flowers are ever best tokens 
Of greeting, and also adieu. 

They speak to our hearts such dear love-notes. 

As not else on earth can convey; 
They breathe e'er the tenderest music 

From heaven and angels alway. 

Then send to your friend sweet violets. 
Their breath fills the room and my heart. 

Their perfume for days linger round me, 
And seem of my life e'en a part. 

22 



TO A BUTTERFLY 

Rememberest thou, O butterfly, 

Aught of thy former Hfe? 
Thy struggle in thy narrow home, 

The effort and the strife 
To break thy bonds, and fly aloft 

To joys the flowers among; 
To show thy new adornings gay, 

And list to songs now sung? 

O butterfly, canst tell me aught 

Of place and former things? 
Canst tell me if thou ever dreamed 

Of state with brilliant wings ? 
Is life to thee now heaven high ? 

Wast former state thy earth ? 
Is joyous now all thy life. 

Sweet joy in thy new birth? 



TO A BUTTERFLY 

Hast yet, again, another home ? 

Hast soul, O butterfly ? 
To heaven wilt thou rejoicing go, 

Or wilt thou droop and die? 
O gay and happy butterfly, 

We joy in life so bright. 
We ask for thee a place beyond. 

Again thou 'It see the light; 

Among the brighter flowers will flit, 
And yet in brighter dress, 

And pretty, joyous butterfly, 
That ev'ry sphere you '11 bless. 



24 



THE OLD PINE-TREE 

Bards sing of the oak and the dinging vine, 
But better love I the old rugged pine; 
I watched, in the past, its long needles fall. 
While listening then to the robin's call. 
No place on this earth half so dear to me 
As where I oft sat 'neath the old pine-tree; 
Oh, many the dreams which came never true, 
So many the plans I was wont to woo. 

E'en now as I think of the pine-tree hills 
Their subtle, rich fragrance my being thrills; 
E'er thinking and dreaming of fragrant pine, 
Old memories dear will my heart entwine. 
And also the schoolhouse by babbling brook, 
Where struggled I over a tattered book; 
The schoolmaster standing with rod in hand, 
At us he would point for aye with his wand. 

25 



THE OLD PINE-TREE 

Though that the true road e'er to fame and 

wealth, 
We glanced from our books now and then by 

stealth; 
When came our recess we rushed with a will 
To spicy pine-tree that stood on the hill. 
Long years have now passed, the master is dead, 
New generations the pine woods e'er thread, 
But when I look back, round heart doth entwine 
The memories dear of the rugged pine. 



26 



THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL 

Eternal activity, needing no rest; 
Eternal progression is our behest. 

Eternally doing for every man; 
Eternally helping every clan. 

Eternal peace and always joy; 
Eternal love without alloy. 

Eternally teaching and being taught; 
Eternally seeking and being sought. 

Eternal sunshine, eternal life, 
Eternal peace, and never strife. 



27 



THE VOICES OF THE NIGHT 

The wind comes chanting a love-song, 
The waves respond ivith a sigh, 

The whippoorwill laughs at the wooing, 
A nightingale sings near by. 

A cricket sits on its hearth-rug, 
And listens to frog's hoarse cry, 

A firefly stops now in passing, 
To give a loving good-by. 

A woodpecker stops his pecking 

And hearkens to squirrel's low chirp, 

A cow in meadow is lowing, 

That none her place may usurp. 

The clock in belfry is striking 
The hour for tired man to rest, 

The wind gives a farewell greeting 
To bird in its downy nest. 

28 



A SATIRE 

A RICH man knelt in his cushioned seal, 
"O Lord! a blessing I crave; 

Oh, make me humble, and meek, and just. 
From mammon worship, oh, save!" 

He was next day in his counting-house, 
Not just, not humble — a knave; 

His God was money; his prayer, wealth, 
And ready all to enslave. 

Came in a woman all clothed in rags — 
"I pray thee, sir, to take heed; 

My wants are many, my poverty great, 
Oh, list, dear sir, to my need!" 

With scowl on brow he ordered her out. 

"For thee I 've nothing, nor thine, 
In debt is church, minister unpaid. 

We 're out of communion wine. 



29 



A SATIRE 

"This month we also to heathen send 
Some help, their souls we must save; 

With this to do, how can you expect 
A gift, with matters so grave." 

The week around rolled. Again he kneeled, 
The man, in rich-cushioned seat, — 

"I give Thee, dear Lord, all my heart," — 
Outside was deep snow and sleet. 

Oh, hark to sound of funeral knell! 

The woman felt not the cold; 
She'd passed beyond all troubles of earth, 

The man was counting his gold. 



30 



THE PAST 

The dead past must bury its dead, 
We need its teachings nevermore, 

Progression is the law of God, 
The past is but a sealed-up door. 



31 



TRACINGS OF DIVINITY 

The storm-clouds break, the sun bursts forth, 
In heaven's dome there is a bright bow, 

With colors soft it spans the sky, 
Divinity's tracings doth show. 

On rush the rivers, after storms, 

Their tracks show presence of a foe; 

But now the sky becomes more bright. 
And tracings of Divinity show. 

All nature smiles with gratitude, 

The trees and flowers will now grow, 

The grass doth seem to smile with joy. 
And tracings of Divinity show. 

The birds and beasts with joy come forth, 
And man most surely doth know, 

Though vile and sinful he may be, 
Divinity's tracings doth show. 

32 



TRACINGS OF DIVINITY 

On things above, on things below, 

The sun, the clouds, the rain, the snow, 

Great Artist, God, placed stamp, I know, 
For tracings of Divinity show. 

Now into home hath stepped grim Death, 

Amidst all misery and woe; 
He takes the household darling now, 

Stamps brow with Divinity's glow. 

Now joy hath come unto us all, 
With happiness our faces glow; 

On brow, on eyes, on lips, on cheek, 
Divinity's tracings doth show. 



33 



ETERNITY 

Eternity 's before us all, 

And man doth rise, instead of fall; 

We hope for glory unsurpassed, 

Supernal heights we'll reach at last; 

Perfection is as far away 

As protoplasm from man to-day. 



34 



THE OLD MAN'S DREAM 

By fireside so bright, an old man sat, 

Was thinking of all his life past; 
Mistakes he had made, work left undone, 

And he with his life was aghast. 

But yet I have time, he thought and dreamed, 

Although I am sixty and ten, 
Quite often are given an hundred years, 

To hardy and healthy men. 

But where to begin, what to do first. 

Is troubling and puzzling me sore; 
I ought be content with life well spent, 

But yet there is time, I am sure. 

Next year I '11 begin, the old man dreamed, 
A smile then lit up his pale brow. 

But now I v/ill rest, for God knows best, 
And all will be right yet, I trow. 

35 



THE OLD MAN'S DREAM 

The old man was dead when next year came, 
The work he had planned still undone; 

He died with a smile, never a dread 
But that all his work would be done. 



36 



THE SUNBEAM 

A SUNBEAM in my window looked 

And danced upon the floor, 
Around the corners then it peeped, 

Then glided out the door. 

It lovingly my forehead touched, 

It shyly kissed my cheek, 
It slyly nestled in my hair. 

On lips played hide-and-seek. 

I beg thy rays will linger now 
And make their home with me, 

With gladness they would fill my heart, 
And joy forever be. 

Most hearty w^elcome now I give, 

Join in thy happy glee, 
O merry sunbeam, thee, I pray. 

To stay awhile with me. 

37 



THE SUNBEAM 

But other visits you may have 
To make in homes of pain; 

Then, merry sunbeam, you must go, 
And long may you remain. 

Or in at prisons' grating dark, 
You '11 give a ray of hope 

To sinner who is lying there. 
And with his sins must cope. 

'Twill speak to him of pardon sweet, 

Yet magnify his crime, 
To him may whisper message dear, 

And thoughts of God sublime. 

Perhaps a seed in darkness w^aits, 

It cannot raise its head 
Until the sun sends forth a ray. 

And light upon it shed. 

Upon the seed's dark resting-place. 

Upon its mother earth, 
And with a smile of loving warmth. 

Invites it to new birth. 



38 



THE SUNBEAM 

The bud was resting upon the tree, 

Its cheek so pale and wan, 
The sun with love then kissed its face, 

It blushed, and soon began 

To woo the bird and honey-bee 

To rest beneath the shade 
Of branches wide, and fragrant, too. 

And 'neath the evergreen glade. 

The fruit put forth a beckoning hand, 
And begged the sun to stay 

One moment, just to warm its heart. 
Then come again next day. 

The litde beam began to think 

Much work it had to do, 
So hid its face behind a cloud, 

And bade them all adieu. 



39 



A FALSE CLAIM 

A WORM I will not claim to be, 

Nor glory in that thought; 
I have a mission here on earth, 

A work that must be wrought. 

We all are sent, we all have work, 

This work must be done well; 
There's naught too small, nor yet too poor. 

When given us to tell. 

So do the work that 's given to you, 

And do it with a will; 
None other quite can fill your place. 

And do your Master's will. 

Then hold the place God made for you. 

The worm will do its work; 
Claim not its home down in the dust, 

Nor any duties shirk. 

40 



A FALSE CLAIM 

So stand erect, you cannot crawl, 

The worm, too, is a thought, 
And just as needful in the whole, 

And by him work is wrought. 

Then fill your nook, and do not crawl, 

Nor wish to claim the place 
Of some poor, little, crawling worm. 

Nor think the claim is grace. 

The worm doth need so small a space, 

It seems most selfish to me, 
That man with might should claim the right 

A dusty worm to be. 



41 



FAITH 

Have faith in your power to do, 
Have faith in the rise of the race, 

Have faith in the ultimate good, 

Your faith with the age e'er keep pace. 

Have faith that the mercy of God 
Allows you to live your own life, 

Depending not ever on Him, 

Attaining your goal e'er by strife. 

Have faith in your fellow-man e'er, 
He's doing the best that he can, — 

Perhaps by your having this faith. 
Already new life he 's began. 

Have faith that in seeking for good, 
And holding it fast when it 's found. 

By gaining this good by yourself, 
Rough corners of life you will round. 

42 



FAITH 

Have faith in a life beyond this, 

That in it you '11 find the right place, 

That then you '11 be known as you are, 
That every mistake you must face. 



HOPE 

Were there not hope, the heart would break, 

Was spoken long ago; 
O blessed Hope, thou gift of love, 

Thou enemy of woe! 

The storm hath burst in all its force, 

We hope the clouds will break, 
The sun comes forth, the clouds disperse, 

All lives with joy awake. 

We 've lost our all of worldly goods, 

We hope that soon again 
Another chance be given us, 

Our fortune to regain. 

We've lain so long on bed of pain, 

That hope is almost dead, 
Grim death has taken our beloved. 

And to the grave him led. 



44 



HOPE 

We've lost our friend through vile deceit, 

We hope for peace again, 
That love will come to us anew. 

Lost friendship we'll regain. 

Hope, so strong! O Hope, so dear! 
I claim thee as a friend, 

1 '11 clasp thee ever to my heart, 

And hold thee to the end. 

Hope, lovely flower, bloom ever on 

In hearts, in homes, in lives; 
If not for hope, how drear this earth, — 

It ever with us strives. 

Sweet Hope, go visit homes of grief. 

Go visit homes of death; 
Thy presence there will bring sweet peace, 

And also bring a breath 

Of fragrant perfume from the skies. 

And peace and joy to earth; 
O Hope, thou benefactor great. 

In hearts e'er have new birth. 



45 



CHARITY 

Sweet Charity thinketh no evil, 
Nor doth it unseemly behave, 

Nor of its good deeds e'er it vaunteth, 
Nor of its high honor doth rave. 

It ever sees good in its neighbor, 
Finds ever excuse for his sin, 

Wilt pity his every transgression, 
And ever to good try to win. 

It meaneth not only the giving 

Of help from abundance of wealth; 

It meaneth shed tears with the mourner, 
It meaneth e'er giving by stealth. 

True charity e'er is so quiet. 

That never the right hand doth know 
Whatever the left hand is doing. 

It never of eifts maketh show. 



46 



CHARITY 



It waits not for other's suggestions, 

But ever is watching to do, 
And render good aid to its brother. 

And never its actions can rue. 

True charity, then, let us live for, 
It's better than faith, or e'en hope, 

And living its precepts forever. 
With evil we ever can cope. 

O Charity! sweetest of sisters. 

Though Hke unto Faith, Hope, and Love, 
Thy parents were angels of mercy. 

Thy birth in the heavens above. 



47 



TO-DAY 

To-day alone belongs to thee. 
Its joys, too, if any there be; 
Thou never canst the past recall, 
It's hidden by a solid wall 

Which never can be broken down, 
E'en though it be to win a crown; 
Sad mem'ries e'er round it throng, 
All pain and grief you 've borne full long 

To-day is yours, it 's all your own, 
It stands out ever free, alone; 
To-day do all the good you can. 
Your life is short, is but a span. 

To-day your hopes are high and bright, 
There is no darkness, only light; 
The past is dead, and buried, too, 
To-day is all there is for you. 

48 



YESTERDAY 

Our lives are made of yesterdays, 

In crazy patchwork style; 
Here is a bit from childhood days, 

When hearts could know no guile. 

This is a piece from memory's store, 

A thought of friend long lost, 
And this is a memento dear, 

And is by stitches crossed, 

So complex and so devious, 

We scarce can see the sheen, 
Some colors dark, dark ashen hues, 

And some from hope we glean. 

The stitches oft are strange and weird, 

Some tarnished are, and dull. 
And some are stained by tears we' ve shed, 

And some with joy we cull. 

49 



YESTERDAY 

A friend gave this from out her life, 

And this, from foeman now; 
This from a piece-bag taken is, 

And will much thought allow. 

Great wealth seemed sure on yesterday,. 

We could not grasp the gold. 
For quickly it eluded us, 

Passed ever from our hold. 

Kind words we might have spoken once: 

We harsh ones gave instead, 
O yesterday, come back again — 

But now our friend is dead. 

On yestermorn she died, alas! 

She died with broken heart, 
Left me in sorrow and deep grief, 

I in her death had part. 

Once Fame stood long my threshold near,. 

She saw an angry face, 
So rushed away affrighted then. 

Of her I have no trace. 



50 



YESTERDAY 

Then Honor in my window looked, 

At golden yestermorn; 
I turned my back upon her, too. 

Now she doth turn with scorn. 

Away from all my pleading turns, 
And from allurements strong, 

I never shall again her see, 
Lost, she, in mad'ning throng. 

Love sat with me all yesterday, 
And Happiness, too, was there; 

To-day are both a journey gone. 
Have left me in despair. 

How sad the thought of yesterday. 

Its joys forever gone. 
Left only grief and anguish deep, 

Long night with never dawn. 

Then let us bury yesterday, 
All wrapped in pall of black. 

All we can fathom is to-day, 
We ne'er can past call back. 

51 



TO-MORROW 

Oh, what is to-morrow? 

It's the ghost of to-day; 
We grasp at the phantom, 

It dissolves then straightway. 

We look for its coming, 

But it never is here, 
We watch for to-morrow 

With such deep, anxious fear. 

To-day is ours ever, 

But to-morrow is not; 
Then hold to the present. 

That our work may be wrought. 

The wise man to-morrow 

Is the fool of to-day; 
The wise man will borrow 

Of the fool of next day. 

52 



TO-MORROW 

Then live in the present, 
For it 's all we can know; 

The past and the future 

Are dark phantoms of woe. 



53 



MORE 

Seems much too small what we have, 

We want a little more, 
So work and delve without rest, 

Are grasping ever more. 
At each new plan for power, 

At each device or thought. 
We wish that more were coming, 

That more could now be wrought. 

More wealth, more land, more houses, 

More fame, more honor yet. 
Forever are we seeking, 

We want all we can get. 
More joy we want, more pleasure, 

More influence, more gold, 
We like to roam the world all o'er, 

Our wants are manifold. 



54 



MORE 

We have a life too active, 

We ever sigh for rest, 
We think our life too peaceful, 

So like activity best. 
We keep a horse and carriage, 

So better Uke to walk ; 
We can indite an essay, 

But would much rather talk. 

We have the chance to travel, 

We want to stay at home; 
If we at home have to stay. 

We ever want to roam. 
Our home is in the city, 

The country we prefer; 
If home is in the country, 

At quiet we demur. 

Our home is on the ocean. 
We better like the land; 

Our home is on the mountain. 
We better like the strand. 

We ever more are wanting, 
And something we have not, 

55 



MORE 

For man is ne'er contented. 
Whatever be his lot. 

His home is in the tropics, 

He Hkes the frigid zone; 
If he has many neighbors, 

He 'd rather be alone. 
Man e'er has wants so many. 

He's always wanting more. 
Content will he be never, 

So long as there is more. 



5^^ 



LIFE 

Down the creek coming, 
Drifting with the tide, 

May peace and gladness 
E'er with you abide. 

Watching the coming 
Of a bark or boat, 

Sails all unfurled now, 
Gracefully they float. 

Into port speeding, 
Soon her anchor falls, 

All her sails filling, 

Now the Captain calls. 

Throw out her anchor, 
Take in every sail, 

Fasten the rudder. 

Now the boatswain hail. 

57 



LIFE 

Sailing the ocean, 

Far away at sea, 
Dreaming of loved ones, 

Lost fore'er to me. 

Climbing the mountains, 
Rugged, bleak, and drear, 

Crossing o'er rivers. 
Quicksands ever near. 

Riding o'er deserts, 
In the burning sun, 

No food nor water, 
Nothing can be done. 

Crossing the marshes, 
Sinking deep in mire, 

Dashing o'er prairie, 
The grass is on fire. 

Doing our life work. 

Struggling with our cares. 
Ever in pathway. 

Are pitfalls and snares. 

58 



LIFE 

Sinking in weakness, 
Old age drawing near, 

Nothing accomplished. 
Death brings but a tear. 

Heights now ascending, 
The grave not our home, 

Angels receive us, 
No longer we roam. 



59 



WHAT? 

Oh, what the all soul of our being? 

The good is the God of our thought. 
Oh, where is the home of the spirit? 

The home is the place we have wrought 

Oh, what is the thought of the spirit, 

Its essence, its ether, its me ? 
It ever has been, there's no ending, 

Been always, and ever will be. 

Oh, what is the dress of the spirit ? 

We're clothed with the deeds 'of our life. 
Our robes will be white and resplendent, 

By living in peace, and not strife. 



60 



"SILENCE IS GOLDEN" 

How deep the voice of silence, 
It through us ever thrills, 

We ever hear the singing-, 
Of rivers, brooks, and rills. 

All space with hfe is teeming, 

We listen to the sound 
Of hearts to hearts pulsating, 

For life to life is bound 

By chains that we are forging, 
By cords we cannot break, 

By ties of purest friendship, 

That naught on earth can shake. 

Oh, then is silence golden, 
More potent e'en than sound, 

We ever sense a presence 
In all the world around. 



6i 



"SILENCE IS GOLDEN" 

The wind a song is singing, 

The waves doth sound a dirge, 

A funeral march e'er playing, 
As back and forth they surge. 

The earth with life is throbbing, 
But atoms are mankind, 

E'er tossed upon life's ocean, 
By every breath of wind. 

All nature's laws are holy, 
All nature's laws are grand. 

And all of life is helping, 
The great Creator's band. 

The band is ever playing, 
A symphony most sweet, 

The strings are touched by angels, 
The drums by gods are beat. 

The keys are struck by spirits. 
The bugles sounded are 

By nature's strongest forces, 
And ne'er doth discord mar 



62 



"SILENCE IS GOLDEN 

Or grate upon our senses, 
The melody doth lure, 

For perfect is the leader, 
And rhythm ever pure. 



63 



THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE 

Made up is life from little things, 

The sea from water-drops, 
The mountains made from grains of sand, 

The wheel of time ne'er stops. 

A litde word can break a heart, 

And little thoughts go fast; 
A little smile do well its part, 

And angry frowns will last. 

Our lives may have but little love, 

Our homes but little cheer. 
Which writes despair on weary hearts, 

And grieves the one most dear. 

The little things of life are great 

When magnified by grief, 
And little things oft have much weight, 

In life, may seem the chief. 

64 



THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE 

Great troubles we with courage face, 
E'en sometimes smile at pain; 

Though weary oft in life's great race. 
We all should try again. 

But little slights and little steps 
Grow great as time goes on, 

Until the burden seems too great, 
And all our peace is gone. 

Take up the burdens of your life, 
Nor scorn the little things, 

For we are fitted for the strife — 
When finished, joy it brings. 



65 



GOOD ADVICE 

To HAVE a happy wedded life, 
Good rules these three you'll find; 

Be sometimes deaf, be sometimes dumb, 
And nearly always blind. 



66 



THE THREADS OF LIFE 

Now one by one we pick them up, 

And weave them on life's loom; 
Some strands we take are very weak, 

We weave them for the tomb. 
Some threads are dyed by ignorance. 

Some strong as error's chain, 
By kindness many threads we 've span, 

And these are not in vain. 

We pick some threads from knowledge deep, 

And some are broken ends, 
And some we ' ve brought from childhood's store. 

And some with envy trends. 
Some threads we weave into a chain 

So strong that naught can break, 
These threads are love-deeds done on earth, 

And naught these strands can shake. 

67 



THE THREADS OF LIFE 

We card and spin, and ever weave 

The fabric of this life ; 
Some of the cloth which we do weave^ 

Is soiled by malice rife. 
A lesson we ought all to learn, 

To pick life's threads with care, 
Or else the cloth imperfect is, 

And heavy e'er to bear. 



68 



STORMS OF LIFE 

Clouds are needed in our life-work, 
And storms are needed, too; 

Should there only be bright sunshine, 
How little could we do. 

In our lives is needed friction, 
'T will round the corners sharp, 

Strengthen souls for all their duties, 
E'en though the world may carp. 

Know we not the strength within us 
Until the storm-clouds break ; 

Fight the battles of life ever, 
And from their night awake. 

Storms of life are ever needed — 

Be still, the sun will break 
Through the clouds of inky blackness. 

And we in peace awake. 

69 



STORMS OF LIFE 

Life without a cloud-burst ever 
Most weak would be, indeed, 

Scarcely worth the living ever, 
For storms we e'er do need. 

After storms comes blessed sunshine, 

And flowers after rain, 
Sweet the air, and also fragrant, 

For storms are not in vain. 

Joyful welcome earth gives ever 
To wind, to storm and rain; 

Grateful then should man be ever 
For storms, though they be pain. 



70 



THE SUNSET OF LIFE 

The sunset of life is its morning; 

We rise then on wings of bright hght, 
We put on the garments of gladness, 

All beautiful, shining and bright. 

We've builded our home here in earth life; 

Have we built it strong and secure? 
Have been all our works deeds of kindness, 

Which only can stand or endure? 

The sunset of life is its rising. 

It rises in rose-tinted sky; 
The work left unfinished at evening, 

We'll take up again by and by. 

With strength and with wisdom combining. 
With Justice and Love at the head. 

Divorcing not one from the other, 
Cementing them stronger instead. 

71 



THE SUNSET OF LIFE 

The sunset of life is its glory; 

The sun again rises next morn 
With grandeur and beauty surpassing, 

E'en laughing the sunset to scorn. 

As higher and higher it rises, 

The burdens of day we take up; 
The spirit at times seems to weaken, 

As dregs of deep sorrow we sup. 

The shadows of day seem to linger. 
And longer and longer they grow, 

Till death, the true friend of the weary, 
Lights face with a sunset-bright glow. 

Instead of good-night, 'tis good-morning, 

Instead of a tear, it's a smile, 
The soul is now born into glory, 

Which budded and blossomed erstwhile. 

Then let us all watch for the sunset. 
We know what deep joy it will bring, 

And know with what peace and what gladness 
We 're learning an anthem to sing, 



72 



THE SUNSET OF LIFE 

From God, our dear Father in heaven, 
Within though this heaven must be, 

Within, must His will be forever, 
The song then is peace unto thee. 

The sunset of life we e'er long for, 
The sunset of life is its day; 

The sunset of life is all gladness. 

E'er pointing to biight, happy way. 



73 



ODE TO THE BUTTERCUP 

O PRETTY yellow Buttercup, 

With face of satin sheen, 
With slender stem to hold thy head, 

And leaves of emerald green! 

Where first didst thou e'er see the light? 

When first thy birthday morn? 
Thou greetest me on every plain — 

Dost thrive on every lawn? 
From Maine to California 

Thy lovely face is seen. 
Thy golden petals e'er the same, 

And leaves of shining green. 

Perchance some feathered songster sweet. 

Thy seed did carry o'er 
The hillside and the valley green, 

The sunny brae and moor. 

74 



ODE TO THE BUTTERCUP 

In the beginning of the world, 
If e'er beginning there was, 

Perhaps in loving-kindness God 
Did send thee forth with laws, 



To beautify and shower all 

This earth with thy bright face, 
To give to all His creatures joy, 

And lessons to the race; 
To be content, though lowly aye 

Their lot or place in life. 
To smile and cheer the lonely ones, 

Whate'er of sin or strife. 



To teach that God will clothe them all; 

But they a work must do, 
To seek and catch the sunlight bright, 

And ever keep in view 
That work is not for self alone, 

For others, too, must share 
Their love, their help, and sunlight warm, 

And all their kindest care. 



75 



ODE TO THE BUTTERCUP 

O pretty yellow Buttercup, 

I bid thee now adieu! 
Bloom on and smile forever, aye, 

And live thy life so true. 
So lowly and contented thou, 

So pure, so fresh, so sweet, 
That man will ever bless thy life, 

With hope thy presence greet. 



76 



THE MILESTONES OF LIFE 

In childhood, at our mother's side, 

Are milestones far apart; 
We seem to reach the first one ne'er, 

But we with courage start. 

At first how slowly days go by, 

And in our happy youth 
The days seem months, the months seem years, 

They slowly pass, forsooth. 

We forward press, with lofty aim, 

No height we cannot reach. 
And filled with self- conceited thoughts, 

Are sure that none can teach. 

We wonder at the ignorance 

Of those beyond our ken. 
And think that we can teach them e'er 

In all things, now and then. 

77 



THE MILESTONES OF LIFE 

We reach the next stone on our way, 

Our aims are still most high, 
With books we struggle, and with thoughts. 

With all we seem to vie. 

The more we learn, the less we know — 

At least, we now think so — 
So weigh and study all we say, 

Our self-esteem is low. 

We travel on, another stone 

Is reached, then left behind; 
How short is time, so much to learn, 

And roads so devious wind. 

Time rushes on with lightning speed. 

The milestones now do crowd, 
As one is passed, we others see, 

Dark night our lives enshroud. 

We reach the last one on the road, 

Our journey's done — nothing wrought; 

We know that now we cannot teach, 
Yet have no wish to be taught. 

78 



DON'T TALK TOO MUCH 

Thou winking, blinking owlet, 
What thoughts are in thy brain? 

If wisdom hath been given, 
Hath it been given in vain ? 

Thy speech is but gruff hooting, 
Can this be wisdom's test? 

Then, man, try learn this lesson, 
That hooting oft is best. 

With big round eyes e'er staring. 
Sit thou, O Owl, in stat^. 

Look wise, though you be foolish. 
This may be blissful state. 

If asked of thee a question, 
Reply with hoot, look wise, 

Then all will praise your wisdom. 
And laud you to the skies. 

79 



DON'T TALK TOO MUCH 

It often would be better 
To hoot, and not to talk; 

Then foolish ones would never 
To wise ones give a shock. 



80 



THE COUNTRY GARDEN 

This is the garden of my home, 

And e'er to memory dear, 
It brhigs to mind the neighbors all, 

And friends that were so dear. 
And in this garden by the door 

Is rose-bush, near the walk, 
A lilac-tree is on one side, 

Close by a hollyhock. 

A lily in the corner grows, 

A peony next in row, 
A briar-bush, with fragrance sweet, 

Then bed of daisies low. 
The china aster has its rank, 

The tiger lilies bright, 
The cockscomb with its drooping head 
Then poppies claim their right. 

8i 



THE COUNTRY GARDEN 

The monk's-hood now is not forgot, 

Love-in-a-mist has place, 
A pansy blossom, too, is there, 

With almost human face. 
The snowball white we ne'er forget, 

We love the marigold, 
The sweet pea's breath of perfume rare. 

The dahlias gay and bold. 



We see the modest violet 

Her flowers hide in green. 
The buttercup and Aaron's rod 

Are clothed in satin sheen. 
We must not slight the clover sweet, 

Nor pass the goldenrod ; 
They speak to us of dear ones now, 

And show the love of God. 



The mullen, tansy, wormwood, too. 
The spearmint and the balm, 

The peppermint and catnip good, 
Are all behind the barn. 



82 



THE COUNTRY GARDEN 

Lobelia, and all bitter herbs, 

Are gathered in the fall, 
With care and judgment they are used 

If any ills befall 



The neighbors or their children small, 

The cattle or the sheep, 
For farmers' wives scarce ever have 

E'en time to think or sleep. 
I long for country garden bright, 

I long for country Ufe, 
I long for country pleasures all, 

And love the country wife. 



The stockings warm she knits and darns, 

She makes and mends the clothes, 
She is the nurse, and doctor too, 

And everything she knows. 
When married is a country lass, 

The country wife is there, 
To help in all the cooking nice. 

And dress the bride with care. 

83 



THE COUNTRY GARDEN 

A little one is coming soon, 

How proud is her warm heart, 
Directly she is sent for now, 

To take the accoucheuse part. 
When death comes to a household sad, 

She ready is to work, 
She e'en the undertaker is, 

And ne'er her duties shirk. 



84 



CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 

Glad tidings to-day I send you, 
Glad tidings of friendship and love; 

It 's given to us by angels, 

God's blessing to you from above. 

'T is peace to the soul that 's weary, 
And joy to the heart that is gay; 

It brightens the day that's dreary, 
As rays of bright sunshine in May. 



85 



COUNTRY LIFE 

I SIT in meadow, watching 
The oxen drag the plow; 

The farmer in his shirt-sleeves, 
The hay is on the mow. 

I sit in meadow, w^atching 
The farmer sowing seed; 

He's honest in his thinking, 
And honest, every deed. 

I sit in meadow, watching 
The farmer garnering grain; 

He's hurrying and scurrying. 
Before the coming rain. 

I sit in doorway, watching 
The farmer taking rest; 

His work all done. The cattle, 
Their supper eat wath zest. 

86 



COUNTRY LIFE 

I sit by fire in winter ; 

The farmer smokes his pipe, 
His wife a stocking knitting, 

On table apples ripe, 

I sit in church on Sunday ; 

The farmer 's in his best, 
In Sunday gowns the children, 

The wife takes now her rest. 

I stand by grave in springtime. 
The wife in sorrow bowed. 

The children now are weeping, 
The neighbors round them crowd. 

The minister, in pity, 

Looks up and breathes this prayer: 
"Dear Father, God in heaven. 

Now have them in Thy care." 



87 



WHEN OUR SHIP COMES IN 

The ship we look for never comes, 

We watch with anxious fears; 
She's freighted with our joyous hopes, 

We 've waited many years. 
Our dreams of wealth, our hopes of fame, 

We've packed with closest care; 
If aught befalls that glorious ship. 

Our lives lie buried there. 



She left our port in youth's bright hour, 

Was sighted in our prime. 
Was spoken once, as age drew near, 

And e'en threw out a line. 
We tried to grasp the proffered rope, 

Alas ! it fell far short, 
It sank beneath deceptive waves, 

Our hopes have been as naught. 

88 



WHEN OUR SHIP COMES IN 

Again our ship comes sailing near, 

Beneath is hidden shoal; 
The ship comes on with all sails set, 

Will never reach its goal. 
Now hope is gone, and death draws nigh, 

The phantom ship is here; 
Step on her deck, draw in the plank, 

Without regret or fear. 



89 



CONSECRATION 

Let us consecrate all of our being 
To the help of our brother man, 

Our desires e'er give way to their wishes, 
Take e'er from mankind sorrow's ban. 

Let their wants overcome all our wishes, 
And their needs overcome our want; 

Let our need give way to necessity. 
But of sacrifice never vaunt. 

There's so much we can do without ever. 
Really, our needs are so few, 

That by helping a brother, more needy. 
We the sacrifice ne'er shall rue. 



90 



WHAT BABY SAID 

Our baby looked out of window one day, 
Saw humming-bird flitting 'mong flowers, 

And cried to mamma, "Oh, do come and seel 
A birdie is kissing the flowers." 

All nature with joy was smiling that day, 

Its thirst had been quenched by the showers* 

And baby, with glee, called loud to mamma, 
" See! birdie is kissing the flowers." 

Sweet birdlings were singing a song of praise, 
For clouds did no longer now lower, 

And baby now cried, with loud, happy voice, 
" Oh, see the bird kissing a flower." 

The sun, in its glory, peeped in and out. 
E'er dancing in birds' love-lit bowers; 

Its rays are e'er wooing all the sweet birds 
To come and make love to the flowers. 



91 



WHAT BABY SAID 



Dear Father, O grant that our baby's Hfe 
Be guided by Heaven's high power, 

And ever his mind as innocent be 
As humming-bird kissing a flower. 



92 



SPRINGTIME 

The birds begin to sing now, 
The flowers all to bloom, 

The brooks change into rivers, 
And rush on to their doom. 

Now plants his seed the farmer. 
The trees begin to leave. 

To choose his mate, the swallow. 
And web, the spider weave. 

The bee begins his droning. 
The ant, his home to build, 

Lambs, in their glee, are sporting, 
On land that's ne'er been tilled. 

Sings merry notes the robin, 
His mate with joy repUes; 

With saucy nod the sparrow 
Looks up, and all defies. 



93 



SPRINGTIME 

The lark, the thrush, the boboHnk, 

Join all in happy song. 
The cuckoo, and the whippoorwill, 

Are also of the throng. 

Of busy, happy workers, 

Who build their nests with care, 

Who win their mates with love songs, 
None other e'er will dare 

To give a note of discord 

In sister birdling's home, 
Or brother bird to linger, 

Or from his mate to roam. 

For all the laws of bird-life. 
Are good, are pure, and just, 

And every happy bird-wife 
E'er in her mate can trust. 

With joy we welcome springtime. 
Stern winter, bid good-by, 

In lives are flowers budding — 
Will blossom by- and- by. 



94 



SPRINGTIME 

Will blossom and bear fruitage, 
The fruit is good and sweet, 

If grafted by unselfishness, 
And kindly all we greet. 

But life is not all springtime. 
For summer's heat is near, 

And fall, with gorgeous colors. 
Greets winter, stern and drear. 



95 



"THE LIVING CHRIST" 

"The Living Christ" is harmony, 

Is love, is peace, is joy; 
Is helping e'er our neighbors all, 

Is life without alloy. 

" The Living Christ " is loving deeds, 

Is spirit, soul, and mind, 
It helps to clothe the naked ones, 

Is eyes unto the blind. 

" The Living Christ " is honesty, 

Advantage does not take 
Of those that we have dealings with, 

Dishonest money make. 

"The Living Christ" immortal is. 

Divine are all His works. 
And death is but a stepping-stone, 

No " King of Terror" lurks 

96 



"THE LIVING CHRIST" 

Around the hearth of innocence, 

For conquered now is he; 
We know He is our dearest friend, 

And is our destiny. 

Each night He comes with peaceful sleep, 

Resurrection in the morn; 
Believing this entirely, 

Death is of terrors shorn. 

" The Living Christ" uprightness is, 

It fills us with love-thought, 
And never hate nor malice dark 

Will in our lives be wrought. 

"The Living Christ" is temperance, 

Is temperate in all things. 
Not envy, malice, nor vile hate 

Will show their fangs and stings. 

"The Living Christ" contentment is, 

Not chafing at our lot. 
But ever seeing good in all — 

Contentment can't be bought. 



97 



"THE LIVING CHRIST" 

"The Living Christ" incarnate is, 

Is grounded in the heart, 
We hve the Christ-hfe every day, 

He is of hfe a part. 

"The Living Christ" is consciousness, 

A consciousness of soul, 
Of power in the will of man, 

Of power to win the goal. 

" The Living Christ" awakened is 

When we all evil shun, 
When in the soul no vicious deed 

Hath its dark work begun. 

''The Living Christ" is happiness, 

Unhappy none could be 
Whose lives were guided by the Christ 

The Christ is Liberty. 

" The Living Christ " is with us now, 

We care not for the past; 
The " Living Christ" is present good. 

And good will always last. 

98 



TRUTH 

Truth's Temple was not builded 

Fronr out of little lies; 
Religions were not budded 

From out fanatics' sighs. 

And Wisdom's chain not welded 
From out of bigots' prayers; 

And no great work of charity 
Accrued from misers' wares. 

Reform began scarce ever 
By those who sin themselves; 

Great hist'ry never written, 
Then laid away on shelves. 

No ship was ever builded 
Without the use of tools; 

Could not be brought port into 
' Thout navigation's rules. 



99 



TRUTH 

No one can teach another, 

Who has not self been taught; 

None should expect of brother 
What self hath never wrought. 

No one can paint a picture, 
Unless has pigments he; 

No one can write an essay, 
Unless there subject be. 

We ne'er should make another 
Believe what is not true; 

If we unkind are ever, 
Some time we it will rue. 

Great truths will e'er be welded 
By heroes of the world; 

Truth's banner bright will ever 
Be to the world unfurled. 

Deceit will find its level, 
It never can hold sway. 

But some time in the future, 
Find truth will better pay. 

lOO 



TRUTH 

If we uplift a brother, ' 
Much help to self we find; 

Commandments keeping ever, 
Ourselves to good we bind. 

Then let us e'er be truthful, 
Then let us e'er be kind, 

And let us help each other, 
And to the truth them bind. 



lOI 



CONTENT 

If friends have lost their hoarded wealth, 

We cry to them, content, 
Our faces wear a peaceful smile, 

We say to them, what 's sent 
Is for their good, so question not 

God's laws, so just and kind; 
Perhaps it is to try their faith, 

And to the Lord them bind. 



When sickness comes, oh, be resigned, 

It is your Master's will; 
Their money gone, friends follow fast, 

We cry, contentment still. 
With placid smile of calm content, 

We talk of God's just laws; 
Our jewels flash o'er trailing robes, 

Our diamonds have no flaws. 



I02 



CONTENT 

Our loving friends around us crowd, 

We are in perfect health, 
We therefore sit in sweet content, 

Surrounded by our wealth. 
So still we preach, and cry content. 

And say, "Your burdens bear; 
Oh, pray for strength to bear your cross, 

There's good for you somewhere." 

If grief should knock at our grand door, 

Where is our calm content? 
We wonder why the burden came,— 

Where now is sweet content? 
We see not justice in God's law, 

We wonder why 'tis sent, 
We think no other lot so hard, — 

Where now is calm content? 



103 



DISCONTENT 

We think of joys that now are past, 

We long for them again, 
We Hve that past o'er and o'er, 

It brings but grief and pain. 

With others, joy may Hnger long, 
And in their homes aye dwell; 

But when we think it near us is. 
Instead of good, its knell 

To all achievements, and all hopes, 

Of joys we never reach, 
Of friends we 've lost through faithlessness, 

It will a lesson teach, 

That when we pluck the roses sweet. 
We're ever pricked by thorns. 

And when we wish for sunshine bright, 
We get most furious storms. 

104 



DISCONTENT 

E'er after seed-time, harvest comes, 

But not by us 'tis won; 
E'er bitten, tender leaves, by frost, 

Or scorched by burning sun. 

When for a journey we've prepared, 
In torrents, rain comes down; 

From neighbors, look we for a smile, 
Instead we get a frown. 

We think sweet converse to enjoy 
Of friends we 've longed to meet; 

Inharmony will creep in then, 
Another forced to greet. 

So what we hope and wish for e'er. 
Most surely will not come; 

But e'er the very opposite, 
Be always said and done. 



105 



THE SUNKEN CONTINENT 

Atlantis, most beautiful city, 

Its people majestic in mien, 
Has sunk in the ocean's deep billows. 

Not even a mountain is seen. 

I come from that long-buried city, 
To tell of its glory and might; 

You scarce will accept what I tell you, 
So long it has been out of sight. 

It had all the arts and sciences 
That cities can boast of to-day, 

Most beautiful paintings and sculptures, 
And bands of fine music alway. 

Had palaces grand and gorgeous, 

Had churches and schools by the score, 

Had homes for the poor and desolate, 
Had mills for the working of ore. 

io6 



THE SUNKEN CONTINENT 

The prisons and oraols were not many, 

So few were the criminal class; 
Instead, they had schools for the wicked, 

The pupils were anxious to pass 

To higher and better conditions, 

They knew what their sins had them cost; 
So strove they, with all of their power, 

To regain what they had once lost. 

I cannot make you realize now 

How wonderful was that past time, 

Nor all of the marvelous glory. 

How little there was of dark crime. 



To time of destruction I will come, 
Describe it as best now I may. 

The fears of that day I can feel still, 
'Twill ever in memory stay. 



107 



THE SUNKEN CONTINENT 

So calm was the day that none would think 
Or dream of the woes of the night, 

Like cannon was heard report by all, 

The earth seemed to tremble with fright; 

With fury the ocean's waves were lashed, 
The sky became black as the night, 

The people in terror left their homes. 
To view this most terrible sight. 

To mountains they rushed in dire dismay, 
The sea followed fast in their track. 

Through valleys it swept, crossed the hills, 
And never for moment turned back. 

The mountains and hills were covered now 
With women and men, full of life, 

But soon they were buried 'neath the waves, 
Left nothing to tell of their strife. 

I 'd climbed to the highest mountain peak, 

I saw all the trouble and grief; 
This point would be covered soon I knew, 

And none could afford me relief 



io8 



THE SUNKEN CONTINENT 

And knowing full well I could not find 

A place any better to rest, 
For water came now with lightning speed, 

I had of all places the best. 

The water at last covered my feet, 
Still creeping each minute higher, 

And then, with a shriek of wild dismay, 
I met the disaster so dire. 

How long I had slept I never shall know, 
But waking as if from a trance, 

With joyful surprise, I looked around. 
Environments saw at a glance. 

I 'm fully repaid for all distress 
Of body, of mind, or of soul. 

My home is so grand and beautiful, 
At last I have reached the high goal. 



109 



THE DESTRUCTION OF POMPEII 

The morn was bright and cloudless in 

Pompeii — city gay, 
An ever-rushing multitude 

Were going on their way. 
A cloud in sky began to show, 

Not larger than man's hand, 
It soon spread o'er the heavens blue, 

Enveloped all the land. 



Now, in this mighty city, gay, 

Is gathered frightened throng, 
The sky is red and lurid now, 

The people tramp along 
With anxious look and troubled mien, 

But know not where to go. 
Beneath their feet is trembling ground, 

Seems swaying to and fro. 

no 



THE DESTRUCTION OF POMPEII 

With angry mutterings and groans, 

The earth seemed now alive, 
The people madly rushing on, 

Like swarming bees from hives. 
The heavens black with ashes are, 

Then leaps a tongue of fire, 
From mountain grand — Vesuvius, — 

It leaps with angry ire. 



From mountains come the people down, 

From plains they rush to sea, 
On ocean's billows, now the ships 

Rock e'er from port to lea. 
The sick, the blind, the lame, the halt, 

The weaklings, and the strong, 
The beasts, the reptiles, and the birds, 

Know not where they belong. 



The hiss of ^nake, the cry of men, 
The screaming of the bird, 

The roaring of the lion strong. 
Above the din is heard. 

Ill 



THE DESTRUCTION OF POMPEII 

Has God let loose the demons all, 

For one grand holiday? 
Are holding they a jubilee, 

And joying man to slay ? 

Such storms of fire and lava then 

Came pouring down the hill, 
It seemed as if the demons all 

Fulfilled their master's will. 
The day has passed, more fierce the crowd, 

More dreadful are the cries. 
Beast wild, forgets his enemy, man, 

Falls by his side, and dies. 

The evening passes into night. 

More fearful is the gloom, 
'Tis Pandemonium let loose. 

So sure are all of doom. 
The rich, the poor, the high, the low. 

The freeman, and the slave. 
With shriek of agony most wild, 

Were buried in one grave. 



12 



THE SWALLOWS' PARTY 

Sent Mrs. Swallow invitations out 

To all her friends, both far and near, 
To a reception for her daughters grand, 

For they were coming out this year, 
The party was to be quite recherche. 

For on the highest eaves, their home, 
They also lived upon the fattest worms, 

All gathered from the richest loam. 



This function talked of was for many days, 

In all their circle, high and large; 
Were ordered from afar the viands rich. 

And shipped to them upon a barge. 
Poor Mr. Swallow's clothes were old and worn, 

For he had traveled far and wide 
Much knowledge to obtain, and food to get, 

Home, scarcely ever did he bide. 

113 



THE SWALLOWS' PARTY 

Now Mrs, Swallow was so vain and proud, 

And much she liked to make a show, 
For lovely g^rown-up daughters, four, had she, 

And all did eat swell worms, you know. 
First, Mrs. Swallow a fine gown must have, 

And he, a new swallow-tail coat, 
To give this party the proper tone, 

For on their style they all did dote. 



A carpet new was needed for the house, 

Straw matting had long since gone by, 
So Mr. Swallow had to fly around 

All o'er the country, low and high. 
Required the house also many repairs. 

Each daughter must have a new gown. 
For feathers had long been the fashion now, 

PassL for some time had been down. 



Most beautiful and fair at last came day, 
Arrived the guests in flies at night, 

For in high life it is not right to walk, 
E'en though it may be great delight. 

114 



THE SWALLOWS' PARTY 

Then Mrs. Swallow, with mother's proud smile, 

Presented all her daughters fair; 
But never before having met such guests, 

They had a most diffident air. 

But coming forward, with a skip and hop, 
Instead of hand, they gave their bill, 

And with an hungered, expectant look, 

They hoped each guest their mouths would 

fill. 
The parents very much mortified were 

At their dear children's manners shy, 
So quickly proposed the popular song, 

Of " When the swallows homeward fly." 

In singing they all joined with one accord; 

They also played on pipe and reed, 
Their throats, with music, seemed hke now to 
burst, 

Proud Mrs. Swallow took the lead. 
As many of the guests were city bred. 

They stroked their bills with much ecVdt, 
And secretly hoped they'd not cook the worms. 

As they all Uked them better raw. 

115 



THE SWALLOWS' PARTY 

Invited guests the first dance were to choose, 

And also of the buds have choice; 
The dance they chose, a hop-waltz was to be. 

None others could have e'en a voice. 
They then around waltzed with many a chirp, 

They twittered all from bough to bough, 
Around first swinging, then balancing back, 

'Till hungry they 'gan to feel now. 

Then Mrs. Swallow to the servants told, 

A supper of worms to prepare; 
There was enough for all, full many pecks. 

But not a worm had they to spare. 
Now getting late it was, their flies were called, 

Most tired they were, they 'd danced so hard. 
But they all said they'd enjoyed themselves 
well ; 

A feather each left for his card. 



Tl6 



THE TIDE 

The tide, the tide, mysterious tide, 

It comes to us, but will not abide; 

It comes at morn, and at eve it goes, 

From whence, from where, no one ever knows. 

The tide, the tide, the incoming tide, 
It seems to come with e'er-swelling pride; 
It leaves again, now its pride is gone; 
It comes at eve, and it goes at dawn. 

The tide, the tide, the wonderful tide. 
Its depths, perchance, many secrets hide; 
May come on bosom a breath of love, 
With cheer and comfort from friends above. 

The tide, the tide, the joyous tide, 
Comes laughing in, like a happy bride, 
Or moans and groans like a soul distressed, 
It comes and goes, for it ne'er can rest. 

117 



THE TIDE 

The tide, the tide, oh, the ruthless tide, 
On waves, in peace, may a ship now ride, 
Then dashed with force on a ja.i^ged rock, 
It scorns our woes, all our griefs will mock. 

The tide, the tide can never be still, 
It comes and goes at the Master's will; 
To us, by tide, a lesson is taught, 
Unless we work there's nothing wrought. 

The tide, the tide, the beautiful tide, 
It bids us trust, in God's laws abide; 
It teaches action, it teaches rest. 
We learn by it that all's for the best. 



ii8 



THE LORD'S PRAYER 

" Our Father which art in heaven.'' 

Our Father, God, is everywhere, 

In heaven, over all the earth. 
And we are ever in His care, 

And heaven only is rebirth. 

" Halloived be Thy nainey 

All holy is the Father's name. 

And holy ever are His works, 
And holy are His children's hearts. 

E'en if therein much sin e'er lurks. 

'' Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.'' 

The kingdom cannot come, it 's here. 
Hath ever been, and e'er will be; 

God's will must aye be done on earth, 
Whate'er is done, God willed should be. 



119 



THE LORD'S PRAYER 

" In earthy as it is done in heaven.^'' 

'Tvvixt heaven and earth, so thin the veil, 
That wafted by a breath of love 

It 's cast aside, and you will win 

What you may call, your home above. 

*' Give us this day our daily bread.'''' 

Oh, do not beg your daily bread, 
God makes not mendicant of you, 

So you must work for all you have. 
And not as beggar must you sue. 

Forgive us our trespasses, as zee forgive those 
ivho trespass against us."" 

Just pause before you ask this boon, 

Nor think that God will you forgive 
One sinful thought, one sinful act. 

For every wicked thought will live 
Until you 've buried it with love. 

Oh, ever bury sin so deep. 
That when you pass beyond this life, 

You '11 have no sin for which to weep. 

1 20 



THE LORD'S PRAYER 

*' And lead 7cs not into tcynptation^ 

Do we expect our Father, God, 
Astray to lead His children dear? 

Or tempt them e'er to wickedness, 
Of this, O mortal, have no fear. 

" But deliver us from evil.'" 

God hath all power o-iven to us. 

All strength and power to vanquish sin; 

He'll not dehver us from it. 
All victories we must ever win. 

Ourselves must fight the battle hard, 
God only will to us give strength, 

And we must hold our banner high, 
And wisdom we will gain at length. 

" For Thine is the kingdom, power and glory.'' 

We do not doubt the power of God, 
Nor ever doubt His glory high ; 

We do not doubt His power to do. 
Except to make His laws a lie. 

121 



THE LORD'S PRAYER 

We know that we belong to Him, 
The earth, and all which is therein; 

So do not try to teach the God 
To save us from our smallest sin. 

''Forever, and forever. Amen.'' 

Yes, ever and aye, mote it be. 
Forever and ever. Amen. 

Amen, through all eternity, 
Amen, Amen, Amen. 



122 



A DROP OF WATER 

A DROP of water falls on lake, 

A circle from it shows, 
So every little word or act 

Of ours, on some bestows 
A benediction or a curse; 

For words a circle show. 
They travel round and round in life, 

Will ever larger grow. 



Will bless some life, or make it sad. 

For little words and deeds 
Are things of energy and life — 

Are flowers, or vile weeds. 
Then govern ev'ry word and act. 

For thou may 'st never know 
Where word will fall, where deed will stop, 

Give pleasure, or cause woe. 

123 



A DROP OF WATER 

So cultivate each word and deed, 

And kindness sow full deep, 
And prune all thorns, all branches dead, 

That none you cause to weep. 
A drop of water is not much, 

But oceans come from drops, 
A grain of sand you scarce can see. 

They make the mountain-tops. 

A circle by the drop is made, 

A circle, by a thought. 
All deeds will circle earth around. 

Mankind by them be caught. 
When sowed, may love-deeds ever be 

Well watered by the rain 
Of sympathy's sweet, loving tears. 

Our lives lived not in vain. 



124 



TxHE BIRTH OF THE EARTH 

A CHILD was born unto the sun, 

Projected into space, 
But could not go beyond the force 

Of parent's glorious face. 

But soon the child for freedom fought. 
With earthquake, storm, and fire, 

But parent was the stronger force, 
And force that could not tire. 

As ages passed, the fire was quenched 

By water, its dire foe, 
Then vegetation came on earth, 

And trees began to grow. 

Cycles went by before life came, 

And then in lowest form. 
Birds, beasts, and reptiles, also man, 

Upon the earth were born. 

125 



THE BIRTH OF THE EARTH 

Though man was not the lowest type, 
More beast than man was he, 

But soon his needs forced intellect, 
Result of that are we. 

But generations came and went, 

Before intelligent thought 
Could hold its place in mind of man, 

Or anything was wrought. 

We scarce to-day can think that we 

Are products of that past, 
But if we trace our ancestry, 

Appalled we stand, aghast. 

But man is here, and cannot stop, 

Intelligence has the reins, 
And drives him fast and furious. 

E'er higher are his aims. 

The race-track is Eternity, 
And Knowledge is the steed, 

The whip is Comprehension, 
Of brake, there is no need. 

126 



THE BIRTH OF THE EARTH 

Forever on the up-grade, we, 
No slipping down the hill; 

Progression is the vehicle, 
Achievement is our will. 



127 



THE BEGINNING OF MAN 

In protoplasm man began, 

Millions of years ago; 
His progress up to intellect, 

Has been exceedingly slow. 

At first his thought was but to eat, 

His home, a shelving rock. 
To shelter him from rain and snow, — 

Within this place no stock 
Of food nor raiment, fire nor bed, 

Nor tools of any kind; 
His life was low as any beast, 

He scarce had thought nor mind. 

His first conception was a home, 
A place where he could bide; 

With leaves and boughs he made a bed, 
Dug caves in the hillside. 

128 



THE BEGINNING OF MAN 

Then fire, by accident, was made. 
By storms some trees were felled, 

A better home, a house, was built, 
His brain, the thought then held. 



He then began to think and plan 

To shield himself from rain, 
So then he fashioned clothes from skins 

Of beasts which he had slain. 
Now families in numbers grew, 

Then intellect soon came. 
They then began to feel the need, 

So gave themselves a name. 



At each new thought, as ages passed, 

A needed word was coined; 
As time now came and grew apace. 

These words were then all joined. 
Their numbers grew, they moved apart, 

And having need of signs, 
They soon invented, traced with skill, 

Most strange and devious lines. 

129 



THE BEGINNING OF MAN 

At first on bark, and then on wood, 

Then stone, which has withstood 
All time and wear, all heat and cold, 

And stands to-day clear, bold, 
To tell us how our fathers lived 

In aeons long since gone; 
Their strifes and struggles in the past 

For us, have battles won. 

But greater, e'en, than in the past, 

More subtle, more intense 
Will be each thought, each new device, 

I ask, from where, from whence? 
Now soon will thought fill every space, 

Be printed on each brow. 
For God is thought, and thought is God, 

E'er was, and is so now. 



130 



THE SONG OF THE KETTLE 

Oh, list ye now to kettle's singing, 
It says, "Oh, make the tea, 

For supper ready is, on table. 
And only waits for thee." 

A song of joy, e'er sang the ketde, 
When guests would come to tea, 

Its notes were loud and joyous ever. 
It said, "We welcome thee." 

Its talk most joyous is sometimes, 

Then sometimes it is sad. 
Of our loved dead, it sings on ever, 

It speaks now of our lad 

Who sailed away the ocean over. 

But came not back again. 
Beneath the waves he now is lying, — 

So lono^ he there hath lain. 



i^i 



THE SONG OF THE KETTLE 

It often speaks of our dear lassie, 

The pride and joy of home, 
But she has left that home forever, 

Doth o'er the world now roam. 

Again, it speaks of fireside happy, 
Of childhood's joys so pure, 

It speaks of times when all together, 
We thought that naught could lure 

Us ever from the side of mother, 
Where heard the kettle sing. 

Where ever heard the voice of father. 
And childish voices ring. 

A requiem now sings kettle ever. 

In home so desolate. 
For strangers sit around the fireside. 

And at the table wait. 

At grandma's house, the dear, old kettle 
On crane-hook sang its tune; 

At grandma's home a promised visit, 
Was thought by us a boon. 



132 



THE SONG OF THE KETTLE 

A note of death once sang the kettle, 

Dear grandmama was gone, 
Then followed soon dear grandpa lonely, 

And house was left forlorn. 

Could we the singing follow ever, 

Of kettle on the crane, 
Such stories sad, such stories happy, 

Would in our hearts remain. 

Then sing ye merry notes, O kettle. 

For in our hearts they lie; 
At eve, we to thy singmg listen, 

And think of days gone by. 



133 



WELCOME TO 
"CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS" 

O WELCOME to the " State of the Golden Bear," 
The "Golden State" poppy, and flowers rare, 
The golden-ripe fruit, and the golden grain, 
The golden bright summer that hath no rain. 
There's gold in our mountains, gold in our hills, 
There's gold in our banks and gold in our rills, 
Our speech is a golden welcome to thee. 
To golden-bright sunsets, and moonlit sea. 

Your badges display of purple and gold, 
And over our land your banners unfold; 
If life you do lead, all honest and true, 
A welcome all golden we give to you. 
All honest " Endeavorers " to us are dear, 
We've striven to give you welcome and cheer, 
May nothing unwelcome here meet your sight, 
And no one your badges ignore nor slight. 

134 



'CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS" 

Dear sisters, you double welcome I give, 
Oh, may you be happy, long may you live. 
Will say now to Christians, if pure your faith, 
Prove e'er to the world, you live by that faith. 
Hold ever to right, and high be your goal 
For under life's ship, there's many a shoal. 
And sailing without a compass or chart. 
You'll surely be stranded, e'en at the start. 

Beware of the bigot, a viper he is. 

Your views should be broad, for wisdom is his 

Who thinks that perhaps some others can teach 

A lesson to him ; another may reach 

The same lofty height of wisdom or fame. 

And looking then back from depths whence he 

came, 
Be able to break through ignorant bars. 
And chant the glad song of the morning stars. 

Dream not that all knowledge belongs to you. 
For others can think, and have done so, too. 
Your paths have been pleasant, your ways been 

peace. 
Your chances so many, they will increase. 

135 



"CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS" 

From East to far West o'er mountains you've 

crossed, 
O'er desert and vale, not a moment lost. 
We welcome your coming; for parting, tears, 
We've hoped for your coming many long years. 

As God gave you welcome in song of the bird. 
In mountains so grand that the trees engird. 
As Nature sweet anthems of welcome hath sung, 
Through flowers and birds, to which God gave 

tongue, 
So all of His creatures should e'er do His will. 
From forest king wild to sweet whippoorwill. 
Then flaunt out your badges of purple and gold, 
Your banners right royal to winds unfold. 

Again and again I greet you with love; 
On earth we have met, we will meet above; 
Your coming is joy, your going is pain, 
By coming to us a blessing we gain. 



136 



THE BLANK PAGE 

We find no page in life that's blank, 

No page but hath a line; 
In childhood at our mother's knee, 

Began the tracings fine. 

There is no blank 'tween old and new, 
If page with truth doth gleam, 

That page we'll read in future life, 
It fruitless will not seem. 

All nature writes on hearts, on lives, 
And writes with truthful hand, 

The writing ne'er can be erased. 
The tracings e'er must stand. 

God's finger on our hearts has writ 
Commandments, one and all; 

We cannot break the smallest one. 
And not from nature fall. 

137 



THE BLANK PAGE 

The page called blank, 'twixt old and new, 

Is pure to look upon, 
But Oh! how much that page can show, 

How many victories won. 

O'er selfish greed, o'er selfish lives, 

O'er frailties and o'er sin. 
The page a blank will never be. 

Where man on earth hath been. 

The breaking from the old beliefs 

Intended was by God, 
Progression e'er will be the rule, 

While earth by man is trod. 

Religion, too, must forward go, 

Must keep now in advance 
Of dogmas, creeds, and ignorance. 

Give love and truth a chance. 

For creeds can never save a soul. 

And dogmas are too weak 
For man to pin his faith upon, — 

Of them with reverence speak. 

138 



THE BLANK PAGE 

For God doth speak to us to-day 

As much as in the past, 
He speaks in all his wondrous works, 

His word will always last. 

So do not speak of pages blank, 

There never yet was one. 
And page which seems the fairest now 

Shows markings which are done 

By time and by eternity. 

Time's finger writes with speed, 
And writes with ink that never fades, 

And traces every deed. 

In future life we ope the book. 

See all the tracings deep, 
But never can erase one word, 

E'en though at some we weep. 

The book is never closed to us. 
The book of life nor death, 

In vain we search for one blank page, 
Nor can erase by stealth 

139 



THE BLANK PAGE 

A wicked thought, an unkind word, 

A duty left undone. 
So have your book well filled with love, 

Nor fear the light of sun 

On word nor deed, nor act of yours 

On this, the lower plane. 
Then you'll not wish to find blank page. 

Nor lived your life in vain. 



140 



THOUGHT-WEAVING 

When born in the brain is thought- weaving? 

And mind have control, life to sway? 
'Fore life e'en began there was thought growth, 

It increases in strength every day. 

The thought is so wonderful ever, 

That thought is now everywhere, 
All nature is filled with its glories, 

And who will deny this, or dare 
To limit its growth or endurance. 

Or say it began e'er with man, 
Or ends with the death of the creature, 

Its height or depth we can span. 

For it is a beautiful seedling 

We watch with delight every day, 

The more it is hoed, pruned, and watered, 
The stronger becomes it alway. 

141 



THOUGHT-WEAVING 

But left to its own weak devices, 

Is choked by the brambles and weeds, 
And soon there'll be nothing of beauty, - 

But study and work aye succeeds 
In bringing all mind and all matter 

From depth of the earth and the soul; 
To cultivate both, our ambition, 

Infinity's height be our goal. 



We have all the future to work in, 

What grand possibilities for man, 
We gain but a little in lifetime. 

But glad that in life we began 
To think and to build for our future 

Foundation not laid in the sand, 
But grounded on rocks of endurance. 

Forever and aye will it stand. 



Will stand as a tower of wonder. 
Will stand as a rock in its strength, 

And never will fall, nor e'er crumble. 
Increases each day till at length 

142 



THOUGHT-WEAVING 

We stand on its apex of grandeur, 

From heights of great splendor look down, 

And beckon and help our dear brother, 
But at his mistakes never frown. 



Thus working and building for soul growth, 

At present, and future, alway, 
A chain of deep wisdom thus welding, 

Forever this world it will sway. 



And also the world of our future 

Its power will ever confess. 
Thus working and building for others, 

Each day and each hour must we press 
All thought and desire of our being, 

Improving and helping mankind; 
By helping each other in doing, 

Much help for ourselves we can find. 

We think, and must build on forever; 

E'en then the grand work is not done, 
For peoples who live and come after 

Will take up the thought we have spun, 

143 



THOUGHT-WEAVING 

And weave into beautiful fabric, 
If given them beautiful thread. 

But dull, and so rough is the texture, 
If chosen some words we have said, 



And weave them all into thought tissue, 

And send them all forth into life, 
To take up as wrangle and tangle, 

Which gives to mankind only strife. 
So let us each give for the weaving. 

Fast colors, so shining and bright. 
And thoughts all so fine in their texture, 

Our lives will seem woven of light. 



But strong and enduring forever 

The words which we speak to each one, 
Thus teaching and helping each other. 

To live for themselves not alone. 
And thus a strong chain will be welded, 

Worth more than e'en silver or gold; 
Its links will be woven of love deeds, 

That will all humanity hold. 

144 



SOUL COMMUNION 

We go the highways into, 

With never thought nor care, 
We pass hosts innumerable, 

Yet scarcely e'er would dare 
To give our hand to stranger 

We jostle on the street, 
Or hope, as now we 're passing, 

Again we him should meet. 

Our fate has passed beyond us, 
Our life to others' care, 

Again, our souls ne'er parted, 
Though meetings few and rare. 

Were we before life destined 
This soul to meet and love? 

And ever through eternity. 
On earth, or e'er above, 

145 



SOUL COMMUNION 

To be in sweet communion? 

And souls to souls e'er speak, 
Though words and looks be wanting, 

And hearts throb slow and weak? 

The mystery of creation ! 

The mystery of our lives ! 
The meaning ne'er we fathom, 

Howsoever we may strive. 

We know and love each other, 

Though ne'er on earth we meet, 
Will look for others coming, 

With loving words them greet. 
In land of heart and soul-thought. 

In future realms of life, 
For angels guide and guard us 

From out this world's fierce strife. 

They watch and try to help us, 

They grieve if we do sin, 
They sing a song of gladness, 

When vict'ries we do win. 

146 



SOUL COMMUNION 

When hearts and Hves are purer, 

We '11 have no selfish will, 
Can join our loved in singing, 

Oh, peace, sad heart, be still. 
Our souls be clothed with splendor, 

Our robes be washed with tears 
Of pity for the sinful, 

We will allay his fears. 

Although on earth it 's better 

To expiate all sin, 
There is a chance hereafter, 

And all who try, may win. 
And peace will come from doing. 

And helping others, too, 
To do God's will so perfect, 

Be Gentile, he, or Jew. 



47 



WARRING OF THE ELEMENTS 

The wind is sinking- lullabys, 

All nature putting to sleep, 
Again with angry mutterings, 

The clouds it causeth to weep. 
With now a shriek of defiance 

The wind claims every right, 
With wailings fierce and most fearful. 

Asserts its power and might. 



Then moaning, groaning in anguish, 

E'en like a soul gone astray, 
Now gently coaxing and soothing, 

Its will yet having alway. 
It shrieks a call to the ocean. 

Whose waves doth answer in rage. 
The wind's demoniac laughter 

The seas in combat engage. 

148 



WARRING OF THE ELEMENTS 

It wrecks a ship on its journey, 

Thus breaking hearts by the score, 
Then wafts a bark to its landing. 

And safely brings it to shore. 
The thunders speak to the mountains, 

In mutterings low and deep, 
The lightnings flash then with malice. 

The clouds with sorrow do weep. 



A voice then chides the wind's anger, 

The waves hear '* The still, small voice,' 
And answer back to their Maker, 

Now harmony is their choice. 
The strife has ceased in a moment. 

All nature wears a sweet smile. 
For God speaks peace to His cohorts. 

His voice doth nature beguile. 



149 



THE FAITH OF MY MOTHER 

Oh, give me the faith of my mother, 
The faith I believed in of yore, 

The faith that to her is a comfort, 
The faith beyond science or lore. 

I've delved in the depths of earth's bosom. 
Traced science on every hand, 

I 've scanned the broad heavens above me, 
And traveled in every land. 

The depths of the ocean has brought me 

Vast treasures, most gorgeous and grand, 
Old Egypt's pyramids I 've studied. 
Surrounded by burning, white sand. 

The mountains have given their treasures, 
The deserts been conquered by me. 

But still an unrest is within me, 
In thinking, dear mother, of thee. 



150 



THE FAITH OF MY MOTHER 

AH knowledge to me seems most worthless, 
My wanderings seem to me vain, 

Beside the calm peace of my mother, 
That's worth all the world to obtain. 

She neither knows Greek nor much Latin, 
And Hebrew to her is a farce, 

She knows not one problem in Euclid, 
In French, not one line can she parse. 

Her faith is worth more than much travel. 
Worth more than e'en honor or fame, 

Worth more than fine gold or pure silver. 
That 's happiness only in name. 

I long for the faith of my mother, 
I long for her calm, peaceful rest, 

I long to sit down now beside her, 
That heart will be eased of unrest. 

The pure, simple faith of my mother, 
Unknown and undreamed of by me, 

Believing and hoping forever, 
So trusting and faithful is she. 



15^ 



THE FAITH OF MY MOTHER 

Then give me the faith of my mother, 
'Fore cankering doubt held sway; 

Not doubting this faith, I was happy, 
BeHeved I, as mother, alway. 

Her faith is so sweet and so simple, 

To her an abiding, deep truth. 
Then, why should these doubts creep in ever? 

Was trusting and happy in youth. 

My reason doth ever assure me 
That only the truth can withstand 

The present strong search-light of science, 
Now flashing throughout this fair land. 

I 've studied and weighed well all matter, 
'Mong molecules long have I been. 

And reason has long ago told me. 
Life's battles we ever must win. 

But give me the heights of Mount Pisgah, 
Instead of cold Babylon's stream, 

The joy and the peace of believing, 
E'en though it be fallacy's dream. 



152 



THE FAITH OF MY MOTHER 

When death takes from home the dear mother, 
How sad will the fireside then be; 

We '11 hold in our memory forever, 
How faithful and loving was she. 



153 



IMMORTALITY 

The mortal eye hath never seen 

The g^lories of the spheres, 
The mortal ear hath never heard 

The melodies of years, 
Of happy song in that near land, 

Where spirits bright e'er dwell, 
Where all is joyous singing sweet, 

And never funeral knell. 



The mortal brain can never know, 

In heav'n what we are taught. 
The mortal strength can never feel, 

The force that e'er hath wrought 
All mortal life, all mortal thought. 

Immortal then we '11 be. 
When mortal life we care not for, 

Oh ! Immortality. 

154 



IMMORTALITY 

Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard 

What we now hear and see, 
The trees, the flowers, and the birds, 

And all the melody 
Of angel voices, sweetly pure, 

Of angel forms divine. 
Of all the throng who float around. 

On clouds of ether fine. 



155 



RIGHT 

On this earth, with all mankind, 
Will something e'er go wrong; 

Discord in the life alvvay, 
And discord in the song. 

We must plan our life-work aye, 
And keep this thought in view, 

Knowing this hath ever been. 
In old as well as new. 

Disappointments oft must come. 

In life of every man, 
E'er hath been, and e'er will be, 

And we must for them plan. 

Well it is that this is so, 

Else life would be too bright; 

We would wish to stay on earth, 
Not wish for brighter light. 

156 



RIGHT 



All mankind complain of wrong, 

But if all men would try 
Wrongs to right, live right themselves, 

Would right come by and by. 

Walls of right must each one build 
In front of his heart's door, 

Then will wrong be e'er walled out, 
And right be evermore. 



Every little foolish frown, 

And every unkind word 
Banished be, from brow and tongue, 

Then love our hearts will gird. 

Right is right, and wrong is wrong, 
There is no middle ground; 

Right we live, or wrong we do. 
By one, is life aye bound. 

" Do to others as you wish 
That they should do to you," 

If this Golden Rule all keep, 
No one his life would rue. 

157 



PRAISE 

Let ev'ry thing- that now hath breath 
Give praise to Lord of Hosts, 

For nature ever praise doth give, 
Of praise she never boasts. 

But men will say some simple words, 

And speak of them as prayer, 
And then expect all other men 

With him these words to share. 
Their friends may pray, as birdlings pray, 

With songs of mirth and joy, 
With loud hosannas to their God, 

Who never souls destroy. 

All life hath breath to praise the Lord, 

All trees can sing a song 
Of adoration to the Lord; 

And all the mighty throng 

158 



PRAISE 

Of beasts, of birds, of reptiles,, too, 

The sea, and all therein, 
The mountains, vales, and rivers all, 

From God a smile may win. 

And man, no more than lowest life, 

For all belong to Him, 
Created they to do His will, 
' They sing to God a hymn 
Of praise, of joy, and anthems sweet 

To God on high, the King, — 
To Lord, Jehovah, or what name 

You choose of Him to sing. 

For God is God, the All in All, 

No one divides His praise. 
Our hearts are filled with one great love, 

To God our voices raise. 



159 



QUESTION 

Dost Thou, Jehovah, need our prayers? 

Dost ask Thy children down to bow 
With humbled heads and contrite hearts. 

And every sin to avow? 

Can simple creatures, such as we, 
Interpret e'en Thy smallest law? 

Or of Thy power can we know aught? 
We with Thy mandates cannot war. 

Thou knowest. Thou Omnipotent, 
How weak and simple e' er are we, 

Wilt pity our transgressions all. 
We strive so hard to live for Thee. 

Repentest Thou that man was made? 

He was Thy noblest, grandest thought, 
To him eternity bequeathed. 

From lowest state Thou hast him brought. 

i6o 



QUESTION 

But if he break Thy smallest law, 
Effect will surely follow cause, 

Thy mandates all most perfect are. 
And God and nature never wars. 



i6i 



PANTHEISM 

The center of the universe 

Is spirit, which is God; 
It radiates to every point 

Wherever man hath trod, 
Or life in lowest form is known, 

The spirit, God, is there; 
All life is spirit; spirit, life, 

And life is everywhere. 



There's spirit life in every thing 

That e'er we see or know, 
In trees, in flowers, e'en in rocks. 

For all things ever grow. 
From center of the universe; 

The stars, the moon, the sun. 
Around the center radiate. 

Their course is never run. 

162 



PANTHEISM 

The God is heat, the God is light, 
The God is food and drink, 

The God is thought and everything 
There is, or we can think. 



163 



"ETERNAL CITY'' 

" Eternal City " of our God 

We'll travel far to reach; 
" Eternal City," oft you hear, 

And parsons of it preach. 
" Eternal Spirit," God of love. 

Our weakness knows full well, 
He pities our transgressions all. 

To better lives, no knell. 



" Eternal homes" well peopled are 

With spirits from this earth, 
Who, growing tired and weary all, 

Have struggled for this birth. 
"Eternal fire" is never quenched, 

For it is Wisdom's light, 
And it with truth is always fed, 

Will blaze o'er ignorant night. 

164 



'^ETERNAL CITY" 

*' Eternal life " bequeathed to all. 

An heritage from God, 
Is life on life, beyond e'en thought, 

And is by man e'er trod. 
" Eternal Spirit" lies within 

The garment God did give, 
And when released from bondage strong. 

The spirit still will live. 

" Eternal City" filled with dead. 

It is the place of gnomes, 
It ever was, it e'er will be, 

Will ever be the homes 
Of all mankind who ever lived, 

For all mankind must die; 
To pass to glorious homes above, 

He in the grave must lie. 



165 



THE ANGEL BOATMAN 

A PHANTOM boat was coming, 

An angel at the wheel, 
To go, I was all ready, 

But mother's arms did steal 
Me from the boatman's clasping. 

Away from all his wiles, 
Again in arms of mother 

I'm held with loving smiles. 



Then sailed away the boatman, 

I felt his icy breath, 
I shall forget it never — 

This boatman's name is Death. 
He gave a farewell greeting, 

And said he'd come again. 
And charged me to be ready, 

He would not come in vain. 

i66 



THE ANGEL BOATMAN 

Long years have passed since parting 

With angel boatman, Death, 
I see him now approaching, 

And feel his icy breath. 
This time I greet his coming 

With love, put out my hand, 
I'm anxious for the meeting, 

Hope safely he will land. 

With smiles I greet the boatman, 

With joy step on his boat, 
I'm leaving cares and troubles, 

With peace will don Death's coat. 
Death now hauls in the anchor, 

Spreads all the sails on high, 
We sail away together, 

The angel, Death, and L 



167 



WE KNOW NOT WHAT A DAY WILL 
BRING FORTH 



Oh, bright is the morning, 
No cloud in the sky; 

The birds are all singing, 
So why should not I? 

My home is unbroken, 
All happy and bright. 

No cloud in my home-life, 
There's nothing but light. 



Oh, why should there ever 
Be misery and woe? 

Why should there not always 
Bright flowers e'er grow? 

i68 



WE KNOW NOT 

Why should there be sickness? 

Why should there be want? 
And only peace ever, 

And death us not daunt? , 



Our lives would be useless, 
No good would we do, 

If grief there were never, 
Our sky always blue. 

For grief brings out beauties 
That joy could ne'er do; 

Should sun shine on ever, 
Its brightness we'd rue. 



169 



WE KNOW NOT 

The cloud is now coming, 
As black as the night. 

It now is as gloomy, 
As morning was light. 

It sweeps o'er the household, 
And fills it with dread, 

The storm has now broken, 
A loved one is dead. 

How little we know what 
A day hath in store, 

All joy and all gladness 
Have left evermore. 

The brighter the morning, 
The darker the night. 

Prepare, then, for darkness, 
It's sure as the light. 



170 



TO AN INVALID FRIEND 

Shut in through illness, long you've been, 
Shut in your room and from the din 
Of envy, malice, and all strife, 
For who would envy you your life? 
You garnered knowledge in the past, 
And wisdom, too, which e'er will last, 
A storehouse rich has been your mind, 
As needed now, you joy will find. 



The world knows not the peace within, 
Nor of the joy which you do win; 
If you should wish you could not sin 
While in your room you are shut in. 
I give you benedictions sweet: 
Oh, cast your burdens at the feet 
Of Him who will your burdens bear, 
Your troubles then are light as air. 

171 



TO AN INVALID FRIEND 

If then shut in you will not mind, 
For joys shut in you also find, 
And pleasures, too, you think not of, 
And that outsiders wot not of 
You're not shut in, nor e'er can be 
While sunshine bright is left for thee. 
And in your mind you have no doubt, 
It's better than to be shut out. 



172 



TOO LATE 

Give words of kindness ever, 

To weary and forlorn, 
Be never of them chary, 

Love is of kindness born. 

Is born of words e'er gentle, 

Bequeathed is then Love's power, 

To help the poor and needy, 
On them rich blessings shower. 

Oh! speak kind words in season, 
Wait not to plant a flower 

On grave of him who, weary, 

Changed earth for heaven's bower. 

The tears you shed o'er cofhn, 
Heals not the broken heart. 

Regrets have come too tardy. 

Harsh words have done their part. 

173 



TOO LATE 

For heart is cold in death now, 
In sorrow must you bow, 

And all regrets are useless, 

Though tears may wet the brow. 

And sobs of deepest anguish 
Burst forth from pallid lips, 

All life to you seems futile, 
As dregs of grief you sip. 

You plant the rose and lily 
Within the cold, damp earth; 

Perhaps had you been kinder. 
And love-deeds not so dearth. 

The heart that now is sleeping 
Would throb and beat with joy, 

And life to you be sweeter, 
Not cankered by alloy. 

Then, friend, by grief learn lesson, 

Wait not until too late 
To plant in life Love's flowers, 

To none give angry hate. 

174 



DIOGENES MAY STILL SEARCH 

Lamp now take and search all o'er, 

Look ye for an honest man, 
When you find the one you seek, 

Join him ever to your clan. 

Honest he should be in thought, 

Honest he in every deed, 
Honest he for honor's sake. 

Honesty should be his creed. 

Soul and heart should be a glass, 
E'er reflecting every thought; 

Bright the mirror of his soul, 

Bright with works that he hath wrought. 

He '11 not fear the noonday sun, 

If his every thought be pure; 
He'll not fear the gaze of man, 

Nor will evil him allure. 



175 



TURN BACK 

Temptations assail you 

On your way through life, 
Be brave and courageous 

Whate'er be your strife; 
You'll fall not by wayside, 

Nor help will you lack; 
If pathways be evil, 

Turn back, oh, turn back! 

If you are dishonest, 

Advantage you take 
Of some one who trusts you, 

And money you make, 
'Twill be a Nemesis 

E'er haunting your track, 
And warning you ever, 

Turn back, oh, turn back! 

The wine cup is offered. 
You take but a sip, 

You know it will injure. 
You'll make but one slip. 

176 



TURN BACK 

You say it is needed, 
Your system doth lack 

All tone and all vigor, 

Turn back, oh, turn back! 

Escape degradation. 

Before it's too late; 
When evil assails you 

One moment just wait; 
Disgrace is a siren, 

For wiles doth not lack, 
Go forth not to meet her, 

Turn back, oh, turn back! 

When this life is over. 

You take up the next, 
You will be glad ever 

You took for your text 
These words of my warning; 

These words will ne'er lack 
All beauty of rhythm, 

Turn back, oh, turn back! 



177 



JUSTICE 

'Tis meet that Justice should be bhnd, 

For Justice could not bear 
To stand erect and gaze upon 

Injustice everywhere. 
She's pictured aye with head erect, 

A bandage o'er her eyes, 
The scales she holds with tightened grasp, 

The sword by side ne'er lies. 

But ever in her hands she holds 

The sword and also scales, 
Which have not fallen from her eyes; 

She listens not to wails 
Of those who fall the wayside by, 

Crushed low beneath the heel 
Of strong injustice, never blind. 

It makes mankind e'er feel 



178 



JUSTICE 

That sometimes if she'd ope her eyes 

And gaze around by stealth, 
She'd drop the scales and use the sword 

Upon ill-gotten wealth. 

But e'er she stands with marble heart, 

And eyes fast closed on sin, 
And is of little use to man 

In all the world's fierce din 
For wealth, for power, and for fame, 

Whichever is the thought 
Of nearly all who live to-day. 

On every breeze its caught. 

So put an extra bandage on 

Dear Justice's blinded eyes, 
Another pair of scales her give. 

For sharper sword she cries. 



179 



MERCY 

Hath Mercy a heart e'er so gentle, 

And face so serene and mild, 
That she is imposed upon ever, 

This gentle, sweet, loving child. 
She ever gives help to the helpless. 

With pity and love doth seek 
To comfort the heart of the mourner,. 

And Mercy is ever meek. 



She ever doth pity the sinner, 

Yet pity hath not for sin, 
Dear Mercy is loving and watchful, 

And ever doth try to win 
The wicked from all their wickedness; 

Hath mercy on all mankind; 
Good seeing in all of God's creatures,, 

Of evil is she not blind. 

1 80 



MERCY 

Twin sister of Charity, Mercy, 

They ever join in good deeds, 
If one for a moment is absent, 

The other with joy e'er leads. 
These sisters to all are a blessing, 

With faces so sweet and pure, 
All peoples do welcome them gladly 

To homes, trying them to lure. 



i8r 



LOVE 

Dear Love has had his wings well clipped, 

No more can fly aloft, 
No more can play the gallant boy 

With girls whose hearts are soft. 

Full many years he 's ruled the world, 

Hath ever had full swing. 
But now he's clipped so very close, 

No use is either wing. 

He so conceited e'er hath been, 

And carried such high head, 
That now when low his pinions droop^ 

He 'd better far be dead. 

His wings, perhaps, will grow again^ 

But when Love once is dead, 
He'd better be interred so deep 

That ne'er again his head 

182 



LOVE 

Will rise to bless or curse the race, 

Then love no more will be; 
From heights of joy be hm-led far down 

To depths of misery. 

Then fare thee well, O dearest boy! 

Farewell, O pretty lad! 
From bad to worse I fear you'll grow. 

Thou art not noiv all bad. 

Thou earnest once to visit me, 

I gave thee welcome, sweet. 
Thyself thou madest much at home, 

With love did e'er me greet. 

That was before thy wings were clipped. 

Too soon you tired grew 
Of greetings sweet, and of my home, 

So spread your wings and flew. 



183 



HONESTY 

Be honest in your dealings, 
Be honest in your thought, 

And watch yourself, not others. 
And you will ne'er be caught 

In acts that are unworthy 

Your manhood and your birth. 

And this will be inheritance 
Of value, and much worth. 

Exceeding gold the finest, 
Beyond the highest fame, 

Of what could you be prouder 
Than of an honest name? 

In little things deal justly, 
For you must surely know 

There ne'er was truer saying 
Than "What you reap you sow. 

184 



HONESTY 

Give always fullest measure, 

E'en running o'er is best, 
Give honest, good weight ever, 

And this your truth will test. 

In little things be trusty, 
This helps you e'er in great. 

Watch closely all your dealings, 
Both early and e'er late. 

When every one applieth 

This rule unto himself. 
Mankind will live for honor, 

Instead of hoarding pelf. 

'Twill never happy make you, 

Dishonestly secured, 
But only grief and misery 

By all must be endured 

Who gather wealth unjustly, 
No thought of others weal. 

Who push and cheat their neighbors. 
To get the greater deal. 

185 



HONESTY 

Inscribed have on your banner 
Tj'itth, in letters of gold, 

The thought keep aye before you, 
And Hve it fearless, bold. 



i86 



BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS 

Oh, bear ye one another's burdens, 

Seek for good instead of ill. 
Life is too short for disagreements. 

*' Peace on earth, for man good will." 

You'll ever find what you do look for, 

Look within and faults you'll see 
You never thought, nor ever dreamed of, 

Faults that grow, and e'er will be 
Observed by all who come in contact 

With your lives, or with your work. 
" So pluck the beam from out your own 
eyes," 

"Then in others motes will lurk." 

Perhaps you may be too self-righteous, 
Seeing not your own ill deeds, 

But ever looking, waiting, watching, 
Thus with discord sowing seeds, 

187 



BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS 

That, bringing forth with great abundance, 
Growing fast will fill all space 

That 's sacred to love's sweetest fragrance, 
Thus bring evil to the race. 

Then cultivate the germs of kindness, 

Which will drive the brambles out. 
And fill your hearts with joy and gladness. 

Thus dissension you will rout. 
Again, I say, have no fault-finding 

In your home, nor in your heart, 
Then peace will reign, and sweet com- 
munion 

In your lives will have a part. 



RESIGNATION 

If many ills befall you, 

Resigned must you e'er be, 
Relief may come to-morrow, 

And help be given thee. 
If friends are false and faithless, 

Yourself be kind and true, 
Then life will be a blessing, 

And nothing you will rue. 



If sickness comes upon you. 

Be patient in your pain, 
For then you'll have more pity 

If grief is on you lain. 
Distressed and so disheartened. 

With naught of joy in life, 
All loss and disappointment, 

No peace, no hope, all strife. 

189 



RESIGNATION 

If poverty o'ertakes you, 

A little you can spare 
To thy unhappy brother, 

And have him in thy care. 
At last, poor, weary mortal, 

Thy ills will blessings prove. 
And life which is before thee, 

With peace and joy will move 



But only brave endurance 

Can hope to win a crown. 
Let every step be forward, 

And always up, not down. 
Give pity, not unkindness. 

To sinful and profane, 
Your life has been in sunlight, 

Theirs in a narrow lane 



Where only weeds are growing, 
Where sun doth seldom shine. 

And dark and noisome reptiles 
Are crawling in their slime. 

190 



RESIGNATION 



There sin is but a by-word, 

There good is scarcely known, 

There fever and pestilence 
By every wind is blown. 



If grief and disappointment 

Fills all your life with cares, 
Go seek thy suffering brother, 

And give him wheat, not tares. 
The wheat should be encouragement, 

Give it to one and all; 
The tares are words of censure, 

Which build a solid wall 



Of anger, pride, and hatred, 

So high, so broad, so strong. 
That years of love and patience 

Can scarce undo the wrong 
Which to yourselves and others 

You've built with careless thought: 
Then think, and plan your life-work. 

That only good be wrought. 

191 



RESIGNATION 

And be resiq^ned and patient, 

The bridge cannot be crossed 
The day before you reach it, 

Nor on the waves be tossed 
The bark before you've launched it. 

The voyage don't begin 
Before you reach the river 

And step the boat within. 



You ne'er may take the journey, 

The bridge be never crossed; 
The boat, if never builded. 

On sea will not be tossed. 
If we go blindly forward, 

Care meeting on the road. 
When, after having hailed her, 

We cannot bear the load 



Which she has now to give us. 
Has brought us from afar. 

To heap upon our shoulders. 
Our peace and gladness mar. 

192 



RESIGNATION 

So turn your back on trouble, 

Step not upon the boat; 
"The bridge of sighs" cross never ^ 
Nor stand upon the moat 

Of hopes forever buried, 
But live your life to-day, 

And garner strength and wisdom, 
That e'er with you will stay. 



193 



NATURE'S LAWS 

If wound is made by nature kind, 
She gives her greatest care 

The wound to heal; for nature's laws 
Are perfect everywhere. 

No cut so deep on forest tree, 

She cannot heal in time, 
Preparing salve from rootlets all, 

Nor breaks her laws sublime. 

And nature ever watchful is, 
She spends no time in sleep, 

But tends with care each bruise or cut, 
And every blemish deep. 

Not idle, she, at any time. 
But works with care and skill, 

To do the will of " Nature's God," 
And e'er with love doth thrill. 

194 



NATURE'S LAWS 

The storm may break on land or sea, 

Like demon, fierce and wild; 
But nature knows her business well, 

And loves the earth, her child. 

She knows that ever sunshine bright, 

Would be disaster dire; 
That storms are needed on the earth, 

And we be tried by fire. 

To bring the world to highest stage, 

To give to life its power; 
For if there were but peace and joy. 

And never storm-clouds lower. 

So weak and helpless would be man. 

And all his life so tame. 
That naught on earth would e'er be wrought, 

And life an empty name. 

So bless the clouds, and bless the storms. 

Bless every bruise and tear, 
Help nature in her laws so grand. 

Unjust though they appear. 

195 



FRIENDSHIP 

Can salt e'er lose its savor? 

Can friendship e'er be dead? 
Can hearts be broken ever? 

Can love be ever fed 
From jealous springs of poison ? 

Then love it cannot be, 
And but a term is friendship, 

And lost its purity. 



Love true is strongly welded, 

True friendship ne'er is lost. 
They have no rhyme nor reason, 

By every breeze if tossed. 
Love true can think no evil, 

Can ever trust its mate, 
Will never think of doubting, 

Its trust will ne'er abate. 

196 



FRIENDSHIP 

So pure is ever friendship, 

It is of love akin, 
And without one, the other 

Is not, nor e'er hath been. 



Is wedded. Love, to Friendship, 

Is now, and aye hath been; 
Divorced they can be never. 

True Love and Friendship win 
Respect from all forever; 

Twin sisters true are they, 
So like, and yet so unlike 

Are they in every way. 



197 



THE MISER'S MISTAKE 

The rush and the struggle after wealth, 

Is filling the hearts of all men; 
But when it is gained and stored in a vault, 

Although it be millions, what then? 

The lust in the miser's heart for wealth 
Is driving each kind thought away, 

With misery filling all his life, 

He grows more metallic each day. 

Of hunger and cold the world is full, 
Of sick and of sore-hearted men. 

Which he, with his wealth, ought gladly help, 
But keeps he them far from his ken. 

He cares not a whit for aught but his gold, 

His coffers are full of his greed; 
If other's are poor, what's that to him? 

He will not them help in their need. 

198 



THE MISER'S MISTAKE 

Oh! why does the miser hoard his gold? 

No pleasure nor good can he gain, 
As sorrow to him can only come, 

For gold he can keep not a grain. 

Nor take it, can he, to life beyond, 

It's only the good he has done, 
The Uves he has blessed, the hearts made glad, 

And conquests o'er self he has won, 

That builds in the land beyond, his home, 
His life with sweet pleasures unfold; 

That home with his life-work furnished is. 
Can furnish with beauUes untold. 

Then why will the miser make home drear? 

And why will he fill it with greed? 
When ever he helps his brother man 

He's sowing and garnering seed. 

Which, ever in future, will him yield 
A harvest of pleasure and peace, 

A home of great joy and beauty, too, 
He holding Eternity's lease. 

199 



FREEDOM 

The prisoned bird sings joyous notes 

Behind its prison bars; 
But sweeter e'en would be the song 

If caroled to the stars. 
The prisoned soul bursts forth in song, 

It seems a song of joy; 
But ne'er when bound by error's chains, 

Is note without alloy. 



The door when opened for the bird, 

Will give it freedom sweet; 
When error's shackles are cast off, 

The soul goes forth to greet 
Sweet truth, who flies with brilliant wings, 

And soars e'en to the skies; 
Each day to it new truths revealed, 

Each day for more it cries. 

200 



FREEDOM 

It looks not back, nor longs for cage, 

Since knowing Freedom's light, 
Each day its wings will stronger grow, 

Of bonds, now thinks with fright. 
No morsel sweet, no love of ease 

Will tempt it one step back, 
To look again within its cage, 

E'en thoucfh for food it lack. 



It loves the light, it loves to soar. 

With no restraining hand; 
For every day new beauties bring. 

Since joining Freedom's band. 
O soul! O spirit! long you've been 

In narrow gilded home. 
Strive now to force its door of wires, 

And free, e'er more you '11 roam. 



Then as a bird you'll fly aloft, 
No dirgeful song you'll sing. 

But with hosannas loud and strong, 
Your voice, all free, will ring. 

20 1 



FREEDOM 

Just ope the door, the bird will fly, 

More joyous now by far 
Than he would be, with Love, though bound 

Behind a gilded bar. 

With joy he'll flit among the trees. 

And ne'er go back to cage, 
Though petted, honored, fed with care. 

Sweet freedom, now his wage. 
And in his song no sad refrain, 

He likes his freedom best; 
E'en though he struggles for his life, 

He sings in Freedom's nest. 

So with the soul, if once it breaks 

The bars of error's cage, 
It flies aloft with strengthened wings, 

O'er error, war will wage. 
It struggled hard to ope the door, 

And gain its freedom sweet; 
As doubts and fears are overcome. 

It joys new truths to meet. 



202 



EXPERIENCE 

If we by experience could learn, 
How happy would then be our lot; 

But ever and aye, though we build, 
E'en then there will little be wrought. 

For every experience we pay, 
Too often we pay with our tears, 

Will ever the coin be redeemed? 
Or are we too far in arrears? 

Though building great tombs, by mistakes, 
We never entombed can them keep, 

They spring up again with the flowers, 
For weeds will grow fast while we sleep. 

In pruning and digging 'mong flowers. 

Eradicate we many weeds; 
But in every package of good 

Is discord e'er found among seeds. 

203 



EXPERIENCE 

We profit not ever by past, 
Experience comes not again, 

We ever new lessons must learn, 
Too often must learn them by pain. 



204 



NEW VERSION OF THE SPIDER AND 
FLY 

Coquettish and vain was a fly, 

And liked to be admired, 
So flew around a spider's web, 

And to his love aspired. 
Her head she tossed, she shook her wings 

And looked in through his door, 
She sang to him her gayest song, 

Her sweetest smile she wore. 

The spider old and nervous was, 

A staid old bachelor, he. 
So did not like her loving ways; 

Much shocked he was to see 
Miss Fly so little caution have, 

Her wit, she must have lost; 
He slyly peeped from out his door. 

His legs he gravely crossed. 

205 



THE SPIDER AND FLY 

With dignity he stroked his beard, 

Stepped shyly out his door, 
And bowing low to her, he spoke, 

A look so wise he wore. 
So very quiet was his life, 

A caller ne'er had he; 
So when Miss Fly came dancing in. 

He asked her not to tea. 

But soon his bashfulness was gone, 

He soon forgot his age, 
And kissed Miss Fly — her head came off, 

He had fly soup, I wage. 
A w^arning, maidens young, to you. 

Just think what you're about. 
Before you know whither you go, 

To grave you'll be en route. 



206 



LIFE'S POSSIBILITIES 

Life's possibilities, 

How far they do reach, 
Began they 'fore Ufe e'en, 

And ever will teach 
That time, nor space, ever 

Can hinder the flight 
Of soul's capability 

Of grasping the right. 

Life's possibilities — 

With what meaning fraught, 
E'en far away stretching 

Beyond even thought. 
To-day we look forward 

To riches and fame; 
We meet disappointments. 

So high is our aim. 

207 



LIFE'S POSSIBILITIES 

But yet we press onward, 

And knowing full well 
That hope is our safeguard, 

Back turning, the knell 
Of progress and knowledge, 

Of hope and delight, 
Attaining to greatness. 

Or gaining the light. 



The depths, too, are easy. 

To fall is not hard; 
So stand for your birthright, 

Your honor aye guard. 
And gird on the armor 

Of progress and right, 
And ever press onward. 

With courage and might. 



Life's possibilities, 

How grand ! How sublime ! 
From depths of despair, e'en 

To Almighty, we climb. 

208 



ALL ALONE 

We 're in a crowd, yet all alone; 

All faces, strange to see, 
Not one we feel to call a friend, 

Nor e' er a friend can be. 

We 're in a land of strangers all, 

Not one familiar face; 
We long for home and native land, 

But e'er must keep in pace 

With weary and down-hearted men 
The ever-hurrying crowd, 

Must listen to their voices strange, 
To us so harsh and loud. 

No heart for us is beating here 

In this procession long; 
If by the wayside we should fall. 

No tears shed by the throng. 

209 



ALL ALONE 

But other ones may languish here 

Among these busy men, 
And there are other homesick hearts, 

Although beyond our ken. 

This is an ever- changing crowd, 

It never will grow less; 
We never meet a loved one here, 

No one our lives will bless. 

We gaze upon their faces strange, 

And wonder at their lives, 
Why they each other crowd and push, 

As bees in crowded hives. 

We think oi all the griel and sin 
That may their lives enshroud; 

We think how few of happy ones, 
Are in this shifting crowd. 

We think how many homeless are, 

How few in luxury live; 
x\nd think how few of rich ones e'er 

Will of their riches give. 

2IO 



ALL ALONE 

We think of all the wretchedness 
That 's lurking in this throng; 

We think of all the tempted ones 
Who pray for virtue strong. 

A lesson, Life to us can teach, 

E'en in the strangers' land, 
And lonely we need never be, 

But help on every hand. 

A woman, feeble, old and weak. 
Comes tottering now along, 

We give our hand now, her to help, 
For we are young and strong. 

A little child has fallen down, 

We help it on its feet; 
An old man now' is passing by. 

With smiles we will him greet. 

A girl, with paint and powder smirched, 

Is tripping by with glee; 
We drop for her a pitying tear. 

For sad her future '11 be. 



211 



ALL ALONE 

A youth, now on the downward grade, 

Comes staggering- along, 
I speak a word of hope to him, 

His heart is not all wrong. 

So e'en among the jostling crowd 
You'll something find to do, 

Perhaps in future, if not now, 

From grief, some one you'll woo. 



212 



"WHY SHOULD I LIVE?" 

*'Why should I live?" Why do you ask? 

The answer is most plain; 
God hath given life to all, 

Though less of joy than pain. 
In the beginning there was God, 

His plans were all devised, 
And life was part of the grand whole, 

There 's nothing been revised. 



It first began on lowest plane, 

Each day improvement brings, 
At last perfection, thus the law, 

Each age with wisdom rings. 
Until at last in God's own time. 

No sin there '11 be on earth, 
For every parent, knowing law. 

Will give a perfect birth. 

213 



"WHY SHOULD I LIVE?" 

Then health, with love, will be the rule. 

Our birthright be a joy ; 
With bounding steps and happy hearts, 

All life without alloy. 
Then ask ye not, "Why you do live?" 

Your life is needed here, 
Your many thoughts, your many works. 

Should give to some sweet cheer. 

You are a part of God's great plan. 

And if your life were not, 
A lack would be in the desig-n. 

Imperfect, then, God's thought. 
So live your life in sweet content, 

Though weary be the way; 
Know then that you are needed e'er, 

While here on earth you stay. 



214 



REASON CAME 

Once, darkness deep was in my soul, 

Deep darkness, as the night, 
Deep bigotry and ignorance, 

Then God said, "Be there hght!" 
An angel came, was sent by Hmi, 

Who touched my darkened soul. 
Then Reason soon began to teach,— 

Left impress on my soul. 

Oft long and earnest speech had we, 

I long with Reason fought. 
But patiently she came again, 

Each time in brain left thought. 
Though feverish heat filled all my frame 

I could not drink at first; 
From Reason's fountain, ever full, 
I feared to quench my thirst. 

Full oft I dropped the bucket down. 

It covered was, by moss. 
And wet by tears that I had shed,— 

Tears shed for every loss 

215 



REASON CAME 

Of old beliefs, of treasured hopes 

Of creeds, which now must go; 
If I of Reason make a friend, 

Of bigot I make foe. 

But Reason, like a flowing well, 

Deep down in heart of man, 
Is fed by rivers running swift, 

In heav'n they first began. 
And clearer e'er its waters are, 

The deeper down you sink 
Your vessel in its limpid depths. 

If you, with Reason think. 

When once you 've drunk from Reason's well, 

You '11 drink again, again; 
No other stream will quench your thirst, 

Though try you oft; 'tis vain 
To think as you once thought in past, 

To bring back old belief, 
Emancipated from it now, 

You find such sweet relief 



216 



REASON SPAKE UNTO ME 

No mitered bishop, nor high priest, 

Can make my heart say nay 
To Reason, on her high, broad throne, 

Who speaks to me each day. 
She speaks to me in silver tones, 

She speaks to heart and soul, 
She speaks in language understood 

By man, from pole to pole. 

No book she needs to teach her law, 
All understand her tongue. 

It echoes e'er throughout all lands, 
By sweet-toned bells is rung. 

Reason ! to my heart you tell 
A story sweet and true; 

A story that is ever old, 
And yet is ever new. 

1 sing thy praise, I take thy hand, 

I '11 make of thee a friend; 
Deceive me, thou wilt scorn to do. 
Wilt listening ear aye lend 

217 



REASON SPAKE UNTO ME 

To all my questions, all my doubts, 

Nor answer e'er amiss. 
For Reason ever is alert, 

To be with her is bliss. 

She doth not say, Take this by faith ! 

And ihat, believe thou not ! 
She says, Tliy soul. Oh ! study well, 

And treasure every thought. 
But weigh thought well, and ne'er accept 

'Thout Reason places stamp. 
Emblazons on it her high seal, 

Be to your soul a lamp ' 

Whose brilliant light cannot be hid, 

A beacon t is to you; 
Will light your life-ship on its way. 

Will teach you, e'er to do 
What God intends that you should do, 

And Reason is the seal 
He places on the brow of man, 

His precepts to reveal. 



2r; 



SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 

We 're in the shadow, but the sunshine 

E'er is breaking through the clouds; 
We 're in the shadow of a sorrow, 

And deep darkness all enshrouds. 
For not a ray to us seems coming, 

Yet we know the clouds will break, 
And soon the sun in fullest glory 

Will shine fortli, and will awake 



The birds so sweet to joyous singing, 

All the flowers ope their eyes, 
And all the beasts unite in gladness, 

Man, the chorus joins, if wise. 
We 're in the shadow, yet in sunshine, 

In the darkness, in the gloom; 
We 're in despair, yet feeling, knowing 

In the sunshine there is room 

219 



SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 

For all mankind, who wish to grasp it; 

For all nature sings the song, 
Give glory unto God the highest, 

Blessed be the heavenly throng. 
Sit not in darkness and in sorrow, 

There 's bright sunshine everywhere, 
But yet the shadows all are needed, 

A life picture to prepare. 



For all of life is as a picture, 

Here a flower, there a thorn, 
And here the evening shades are deepening, 

There the rosy tint of morn. 
The picture, then, would lose its beauty, 

Were but flowers on it strewn, 
And e'er be flat, if o'er its surface 

Only shone the light of noon, 



Then know the shadow is as lovely 

In the landscape, in the life, 
As e'er the brightness, e'er the high-light, 

For the struggle and the strife 

220 



SUNSHINE AND SHADOW 

Will bring out beauties never thought of, 
Round out life with victories won ; 

And aye are needed, always, ever, 
And the world will gaze upon 



This picture made of lights and shadows, 

Made of colors bright or dull, 
The beauties oft in shadows deepen, 

Flowers sweet, from grief we cull. 
And from the lanes, and from the by-ways, 

From the gardens rich in thought, 
And rich in perfume, rich in fragrance, 

By the gay yet never sought. 



And so the shadows are as lovely 

As the brightest sunlit view, 
And as they deepen in the half-tones. 

Will to light bring something new. 
In all of hfe, and in the picture, 

Making both full and complete. 
And making both seem things of beauty, 

And our lives more rare and sweet. 



221 



SUiNSHINE AND SHADOW 

So rest in shadow, work in sunshine, 

Thus our life-work will be done, 
For there is need of both for soul-growth, 

Both the moonlight and the sun. 
Tears follow smiles in quick succession. 

Grief and joy each other crowd, 
And light and shade, ne'er weary phantoms, 

Wrap us in a ghostly shroud. 

For here 's a high-light, there a shadow, 

Here a half-tone, peaceful, sweet. 
And here a middle tint of beauty. 

Here the cooling shade we meet. 
Then farewell sunshine, farewell shadow, 

Farewell smiles, and farewell tears; 
Then farewell joy, and farewell sorrow, 

Good, to us, all appears. 



222 



-ASK WHAT THOU WILT" 

" Ask what thou wilt," but do not think 
That God will change His laws 

To grant thy wish, to please thy heart; 
Before you ask, then, pause. 

"Ask what thou wilt," but though you sue 

For bread, you '11 get a stone, 
Unless you work and ever do 

What in your way is thrown. 

'' A.sk what thou wilt," no one can say 

You have not right this to do. 
But do not ask with humbled hearts, 

As beggar, do not sue. 

"Ask what thou wilt," but man must work 

For food, and raiment, too, 
For shelter and for all he has; 

Though birds are clothed, 't is true. 



"ASK WHAT THOU WILT" 

" Ask what thou wik," ask not for wealth, 

It will not come to thee. 
" Ask what thou wilt," ask not for health, 

Health perfect cannot be. 

"Ask what thou wilt," but not for home, 

Nor ask you now for land; 
Nor ask ye not for horses fine. 

Nor yet magician's wand. 

" Ask what thou wilt," but not for friends, 

Nor must you ask for fame; 
And ask ye not for happiness, 

You '11 have it but in name. 



224 



THE TWIN OAKS OF "SUNNY BRAE = 

Two mighty oaks for centuries stood, 

Twin brothers, born of God; 
As monuments of His great love, 

Their boughs with reverence nod. 
As time rolled by, one stood beneath 

Their branches wide and grand, 
To dedicate these old, old oaks; 

Blessed them, an angel band. 



O " Temple Oak," in memory sweet 

Of him, the one so dear; 
Pure benedictions rest on all 

Who visit these each year. 
The oaks respond to loving words. 

In whispers low and sweet, 
All ears attuned to these love-notes, 

With reverence deep them greet. 

225 



THE TWIN OAKS OF "SUNNY BRAE" 

The morning stars together sing, 
The evening stars respond, 

All nature's glorious symphony- 
United in one bond 

Of loving songs, and language dear. 
And others feel and know 

That God is love, that they, His thought; 
And ever nearer grow 

To perfect law, and sing His praise 

In anthems soft and low, 
And some in solemn requiem give 

Their praise to God, I know. 
Then to these oaks grand anthems ring. 

Beneath their branches wide; 
Long may the spirit of this home 

In health and peace abide. 



226 



MY DREAM 

The beautiful day with golden wings, 
Flies ever too fast, when joy it brings; 
When trouble doth come it slowly drags. 
As bird of ill-omen, then it lags. 

The beautiful day with sunshine bright, 
Fills happy hearts all, with much delight; 
But seemeth to mock hearts filled with woe. 
And in their sad lives deep shadows throw. 

E'en flowers seem happy on sunny days, 
With laughter, the birds then sing sweet lays^ 
And music seems all the air to fill, 
E'er causing our hearts with joy to thrill. 

O joyous, bright sunshine, happy day, 
Come into your lives, and with you stay; 
And shadows too dark now take their flight, 
Bright sunshine be yours, never the night. 

227 



STEP OUT OF MY SUNSHINE 

Oh, friend, thou step out of my sunshine, 
There 's plenty of sunshine for all, 

For ordered, hath God, the bright sunlight 
On just and the unjust to fall. 

The shadows may be all too heavy, 
Thus chilling the soul and the heart; 

But shadows e'er follow the sunshine, 
They seem of the sunlight a part. 

From shadow, but step, is the sunshine, 
But step between sorrow and joy, 

But breath between smiling and weeping. 
Made stronger is gold by alloy. 

From palace, but step, to the cottage, 
But step, between rich and the poor; 

'Tween evil and good is line narrow, — 
That evil there is, we deplore. 

228 



STEP OUT OF MY SUNSHINE 

Oh, friend, step thou out of my sunshine, 
You need not to shadow, though, go, 

For sunshine will follow your pathway, 
And happiness follow your woe. 

Oh, friend, step thou out of my sunshine. 
And find for yourself a bright ray, 

For ever there's sunshine full plenty 
To brighten the gloomiest day. 

Oh, friend, step thou out of my sunshine, 
I'd share it most gladly with you, 

If there was but one gleam of sunlight — 
For that thou wouldst never need sue. 

So, friend, step thou out of my sunshine, 
To pleadings, I pray you take heed, 

For life is now dark and so gloomy. 
Bright sunshine to-day I much need. 

There's sunshine in hearts of all peoples, 
And life-giving warmth hath it e'er 

To brighten the life, and make happy 
All homes, tliough they dark may appear. 



229 



LOOKING-GLASS REFLECTIONS 

As sitting- one day 'fore a looking glass, 

In such an unhappy, drear mood, 
And thinking how little there was in life, 

So much more of bad than good; 
In looking far back on my life so drear, 

I thought then how little of joy, 
How much of distress and misery dire, 

And so much of dross and alloy. 

When chancing to glance for a moment up. 

My face I saw furrowed with tears; 
The glass was reflecting such bitter woe, 

I seemed to have aged many years. 
So gruesome reflection presented there, 

A smile spread all o'er my sad face, 
Which chased soon away the wrinkles and 
gloom. 

Thus showing a few lines of grace. 

2.^0 



LOOKING-GLASS REFLECTIONS 

The thought to my mind came rushing now in, 

That face that doth show signs of woe, 
No more as a blot should deface God's earth. 

Thus spreading e'er gloom where I go. 
So looking around for some happy thought, 

I quickly found happiness within, 
Sufficient to chase all the gloom away, 

And happier since have I been. 

All earth is a mirror, which ever doth show 

A grief-stricken face or sweet smile; 
Each friend that we meet reflects all our moods. 

Then let us with smiles them beguile. 
Again, when we peer in looking-glass bright, 

Remember, we must, what is seen, 
That ever it shows bright smiles, or drear woe. 

Reflects back our smiles or grief keen. 



231 



MEMORIES 

By a shelving rock in pasture, 

Where the fern and ivy grow, 
Is a spring of ice-cold water. 

On one side is bending low 
Weeping-willow, swaying ever 

Its green branches to and fro. 
And the birds are singing sweedy, 

All unmindful of the woe 

Which around them is forever, 

Which is now and e'er hath been 
Long as man on earth hath bided. 

And the world is filled with sin. 
I remember well the cowslips. 

And the flags in brook near by; 
Also pine woods in the distance, 

Hemlock, spruce, and fir trees high. 

At recess, I well remember 

Running down the lane with joy, 

For a draught of ice-cold water, 
Life was then without alloy. 

232 



MEMORIES 

1 can hear the cattle lowing, 

And the bees' low buzz and hum; 

I can hear the birds' sweet singing, 
And the sheep as home they come. 

In my dreams I hear them ever, 

They to mind bring childhood's days, 
Father, mother, and the teacher 

To her pupils singing lays, 
Or to them the primer reading, 

And the Bible in low tones; 
Oft with words of sharp reproving 

To the scholars who were drones. 

Oh! the dreams I e'er am dreaming, 

Of my home in " Pine-Tree State," 
I so long to see my loved ones, 

Will my longings ne'er abate? 
Oh! the dreams of childhood's pleasures 

In my heart will e'er hold sway; 
I forget the griefs and sorrows, 

But I hold the joys alway. 



233 



A MESSAGE 

God sent me to earth a visit to make, 

I came by direction, made no mistake; 

A message I bring direct from His throne — 

"To live a pure life," — He doth not condone 

One sin you commit, no matter how small; 

He never forgives, though loud be your call. 



Your work you must do, as God now directs. 
And do it yourself, none other elects 
To fill e'er your place, or bear your least sin, 
Your life must be pure, outside and within. 
God gave me this law to give unto you, 
So when you pass on that nothing you'll rue; 
This message now take, as given, I pray. 
And all of God's laws try to obey. 

234 



A MESSAGE 

My visit is made, my message accept, 

For sins too many, the Christ-child has wept; 

The Christ-child is Love, Humanity deep. 

And ever is watchful, never doth sleep. 

I go now away, shall never return; 

This warning from God, oh! pray do not 

spurn, 
For angels are watching your life and your 

work; 
While living on earth, no duty e'er shirk. 



235 



IT IS FINISHED 

It now is finished, the work is done, 
Will friends accept it, and critics shun? 
Will it give comfort, or turn from sin 
Some mortal poor, who will now begin 
His loss to feel, and to know his gain, 
Then leave his past and begin again ? 
If one is helped, it may die disgraced, 
Be flung to winds, or by critics chased. 

To help, its work, and if that is done, 

For death it's ready, its race is run; 

The one that's helped will now help his 

friend, 
Begin a circle — it doth not end, 
But will grow larger as time goes on, 
Until from well-doing peace is won. 
Then go, my child, and do what you can, 
E'en though sharp critics pronounce their 

ban. 



236 



'The Moving Finger ic rites; and, having ivrit. 
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit 

Shall lure it back to caneel half a Line, 
Xor all thy Tears ivash out a Word of it.'^ 



